The United States and Iraq's authorities said Friday morning, December 8, that the US Embassy in Baghdad was targeted by a rocket strike, which resulted in some damage but did not fatally hurt anybody.
Since the commencement of the Israel-Hamas conflict, no assault has been verified on the embassy situated in the strongly defended Green Zone of Iraq's capital. Located on the western bank of the Tigris River, the Green Zone is home to Iraqi government buildings and embassies.
In the two months after Israel went to war with Hamas, Iraqi militias backed by Iran have claimed responsibility for hundreds of strikes against American outposts in Iraq and Syria. According to the US military, 78 strikes on American sites have occurred in the last seven weeks, with 37 incidents occurring in Iraq and 41 in Syria.
U.S. Marines walk past the front of the American Embassy February 6, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq . The platoon of Marines from the Anti-Terrorism Battalion is tasked with defending the exterior of U.S. diplomatic mission against attacks in one of the most dangerous cities in the world. The United States has used the former palace of Saddam Hussein as it's embassy since shortly after the invasion in 2003. A new embassy is currently under construction.
Another Attack on US Site
In a report by ABC News, an Iraqi security officer said 14 Katyusha rockets were launched on Friday, with some of them hitting the ground near the US Embassy and others exploding in the river beneath. The official confirmed that there were no reported casualties, but material damage was inflicted by the rocket strike.
Meanwhile, according to a US military officer, coalition and American personnel were targeted in a multi-rocket strike near the embassy complex and the Union III facility, which contains coalition headquarters. The source went on to say that there were no reports of injuries or damage to infrastructure.
Two rocket salvos hit the US Embassy at about 4:15 AM (0215 GMT), as per an embassy spokesperson.
No one organization has taken credit for launching the missiles as of Friday morning. However, initial signs reportedly pointed to militias associated with Iran.
"We again call on the government of Iraq, as we have done on many occasions, to do all 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," the embassy representative said, according to Fox News.
For legal reasons, all three officials spoke on condition of anonymity.
Also Read: UN Struggles To Continue Funding for Peacekeeping Missions as Nations Call for Reform
Remarks From Iraq's PM
The statement from Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said that it is absolutely unacceptable to strike diplomatic missions. He condemned the attack as a betrayal of Iraq's security and stability and vowed to track down those responsible for it.
With the help of a combination of parties sponsored by Iran, Sudani seized power in Iraq. On the other hand, he supports the continuous presence of American soldiers in his nation and wants good ties with the US to remain.
Also Read: China Tells EU Officials Not to Be Rivals or Seek Conflict Despite Political Differences
