Following two days of violent protests, members and supporters from the Iranian-backed Iraqi paramilitary group have reportedly withdrawn from the US embassy in Baghdad, according to Reuters. The move comes after group members hurled rocks and smashed doors at the embassy compound on Dec. 31. 

A protester waves an Iraqi flag during a protest to condemn air strikes on bases belonging to Hashd al-Shaabi (paramilitary forces), in Baghdad, Iraq January 1, 2020. (Photo by Reuters via CGTN)

The groups dispersed after Washington dispatched extra US troops and also threatened reprisals against Tehran. Iraq's military said that the area was completely secure and the US government said they had no plans to evacuate the facility. 

The demonstrations broke out after the US launched airstrikes against an Iran-backed militia which killed 25 members on Dec. 29. 

The US said the "precision defensive airstrikes" were in response to a rocket attack that killed an American contractor on an Iraqi-military base. US President Donald Trump said, however, that he would like to "avoid" war with Iran.   

Meanwhile, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei denied that the country had any influence on the protests at the embassy.