[PICTURES]: US Forces Begin Expansion of Air Base in Iraq

ERBIL – The US forces in Iraq have reportedly begun to expand one of its air bases in the western province of Anbar, sources said on Thursday.

The sources pointed out that the US forces stationed at the Al Asad Air Base in western Anbar, for the first time began the expansion of the airport for military and defense, without stating the reasons behind these actions.

Adding that the expansion included large areas of the airport towards the south of the base, in an indication that these forces will remain for a long time inside the building, which is under strict security.

The expansion comes while the US Department of State ordered on Wednesday the withdrawal of its non-essential employees from its embassy in Baghdad and consulate general in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, as tensions have already risen due to the deteriorated ties between Washington and Tehran.