The US embassy in Baghdad’s strongly protected Green Zone was attacked with rockets on Friday, the mission reported, the latest in a series of such attacks during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
“A multi-rocket attack was launched at US and Coalition forces in the vicinity of Union III and the Baghdad embassy complex” without causing any reported casualties or damage, a US official said.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
The US leads an international coalition fighting Islamists in Iraq and neighboring Syria, and American forces have been targeted repeatedly in recent weeks.
The assaults came amid a two-month battle in the Gaza Strip between US ally Israel and the Iran-backed Palestinian Islamist insurgent group Hamas.
The US embassy said in a statement that “two salvoes of rockets” were fired at the mission compound approximately 4:15 a.m. (0115 GMT).
“Indications are the attacks were initiated by Iran-aligned militias,” said a US spokesperson.
The spokesperson called on Iraq’s government to protect diplomats, coalition partners, and facilities, adding: “We reiterate that we reserve the right to self-defense and to protect our personnel anywhere in the world.”
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani cautioned that attacks on embassies damage the country’s security and urged on security authorities to bring those responsible to account.
Since mid-October, pro-Iran factions have launched dozens of rocket or drone strikes against US or coalition forces in Iraq and Syria.
However, Friday’s missile attack on the US embassy in Baghdad was the first since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, heightening regional tensions and worries of a larger battle.
According to an Iraqi security official, “three Katyusha rockets targeting the American embassy fell close to the Green Zone” near the Tigris River.
As part of measures to avoid a revival of the Islamic State organization, the US has approximately 2,500 troops in Iraq and approximately 900 in Syria.
Around 80 attacks
Following the end of a seven-day lull in the war between Israel and Iran-backed Hamas last week, pro-Iran factions renewed their attacks against US and coalition forces, using American support for Israel as justification.
In Iraq, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a loose coalition of armed organizations linked with the Hashed al-Shaabi alliance of former paramilitaries now integrated into Iraq’s formal armed forces, claimed the majority.
US forces have struck Iran-linked targets in both Iraq and Syria in response.
Sudani said Friday’s attacks were “unacceptable and unjustifiable”.
“Our security forces… will continue to protect embassies,” the Iraqi premier said.
His foreign affairs adviser, Farhad Alaaldin, said the government was “determined” to uphold Iraq’s stability.
“No attempt to destabilise the country will be tolerated,” he added.
The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq also condemned the attack and warned of repercussions.
“Iraq cannot afford to be drawn into a wider conflict, which would threaten hard-won stability and the achievements made so far,” UNAMI said on X, formerly Twitter.
A US military official stated on Sunday that a “self-defence strike” was carried out in northern Iraq targeting a drone launch point near Kirkuk.
The killing of “five martyrs” was later announced by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.
According to a US military official, a drone targeted Western forces at the Ain al-Asad Airbase in western Iraq on Wednesday, but there were no injuries or damage.
Since October 17, Washington has recorded at least 78 strikes on US personnel in Iraq and Syria.
According to Israeli sources, the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, when Hamas fighters assaulted Israel, killing over 1,200 persons, largely civilians, and seizing approximately 240 prisoners.
In response, Israel promised to destroy Hamas and launched a huge military attack in Gaza, killing 17,177 Palestinians, according to the Hamas administration there.
According to the Pentagon, the attacks on US forces included rocket fire and drone strikes, and at least 60 US servicemen were injured.