American troops and installations are regularly attacked due to Washington’s support for Israeli bombing of Gaza.
Rockets were fired at the US embassy in Baghdad.
Explosions were heard early Friday near the Iraqi capital’s heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses the institution. US soldiers and installations across the region have come under attack as Washington supports Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.
News agencies, citing unnamed U.S. and Iraqi military officials, reported that rockets landed at dawn on the outskirts of the district housing government and diplomatic buildings.
An Iraqi security official said 14 Katyusha rockets were fired and while some hit near one of the embassy gates, others fell into the nearby Tigris River. The official said the rocket attack caused property damage but caused no casualties.
Sirens telling people to “duck and cover” were activated. According to social media videos verified by Tel Aviv Tribune’s verification unit Sanad, rockets were seen landing near the US embassy.
In one video, sirens are heard during a series of explosions near the building. Another shows an area of Baghdad’s diplomatic zone as explosions are heard in the background.
صوت الانفجارات التي استهدفت السفارة الأميركية في المنطقة الخضراء في العاصمة العراقية بغداد قبل قليل pic.twitter.com/2Y008GSjYU
— ألراصد سيّدْ عبدالزهره أَلذَبحْاوُيِ (@Althebhawy) December 8, 2023
A statement from the US embassy confirmed that “two salvos of rockets” were fired at the complex at 4:15 a.m. (01:15 GMT).
“It appears the attacks were launched by Iranian-aligned militias,” a spokesperson said. “We once again call on the Iraqi government… to do everything in its power to protect diplomatic and coalition partner personnel and facilities.
“We reiterate that we reserve the right to self-defense and to protect our personnel anywhere in the world.”
In a statement, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani called on security forces to pursue those responsible for the attack, calling it an “act of terrorism” that undermines stability, internal security and the political reputation of the country.
Iraqi groups supporting the Palestinians have vowed retaliation against Israel and its close ally the United States for the deadly war in Gaza.
According to the Pentagon, since the start of the Gaza war on October 7, US forces deployed in Iraq and Syria have been attacked at least 66 times, injuring more than 60 members. Until now, diplomatic missions were spared.
The United States has at times retaliated against these attacks and accused Iran of “actively facilitating” rocket and drone attacks against its forces by Iranian-backed proxy groups.
In November, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement that Washington “does not seek conflict and has no intention or desire to engage in further hostilities,” but added that “these attacks “supported by Iran against U.S. forces are unacceptable and must stop.” .”
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said Tehran “does not give orders to resistance groups in the region or prevent them from making decisions in their own country based on their own interests.”
No group claimed responsibility for Friday’s attack.
