US Embassy in Baghdad Attacked Amid Escalating Tensions with Iran

US Embassy in Baghdad Attacked with Rockets

A rocket attack was reported at the US Embassy in Baghdad’s Green Zone, according to an official statement from Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. The incident occurred on Saturday, following a week of attacks by Iranian-backed paramilitary forces on US military bases and facilities in Iraq.

Four rockets were launched towards the embassy, located within the heavily fortified Green Zone, which hosts government offices and diplomatic missions. The attack was the first to land in the Green Zone since Israel and the US began striking Iran last Saturday, leading to a war in the Middle East.

Iraqi security forces have been pursuing the perpetrators of the attack, with al-Sudani’s office stating that they are committing an offence against Iraq’s sovereignty and security. The Iraqi government has also reported casualties among Iranian-backed fighters, including a PMF fighter killed after strikes on bases belonging to the group in Nineveh governorate.

Iranian forces have been launching attacks on US military bases and facilities in Iraq over the past week, with dozens of incidents reported. The Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an umbrella organisation of mostly Shia armed groups, has been targeted by airstrikes, including one that hit a PMF base located south of Mosul.

In addition to the attacks on US facilities, Iranian forces have also targeted separatist groups in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq, according to Tasnim news agency. The IRGC stated that it would “crush” any separatist groups making moves against Iran’s territorial integrity.

The incident has raised tensions between Iraq and its regional neighbours, with Iraqi President Masoud Pezeshkian stating that Iran would refrain from attacking neighbouring states unless attacks were launched against his country from their territory.

Source: Al Jazeera