Iraqi media reported that a rocket attack targeted the US embassy in Baghdad. Two security sources indicated that "the Green Zone, which houses the US embassy in Baghdad, was hit by several rockets early on Friday morning, although it was unclear where the rockets landed and whether they caused any damage." The spokesperson for the US embassy in Baghdad confirmed on Friday that the embassy compound came under rocket attack that resulted in no injuries, accusing "Iranian-backed militias of carrying out the attack."
The statement noted that "around 4:15 AM today, the US embassy was attacked with two rockets," adding that "assessments are ongoing, and there have been no reports of injuries in the embassy compound." According to the statement, "so far, no group has claimed responsibility for this attack, but indications suggest that it was carried out by Iranian-backed militias, which operate freely in Iraq."
The office reiterated its call for the Iraqi government, as it had done before, to take all necessary measures to protect the personnel and facilities of diplomatic missions and partners in the international coalition, affirming "our right to self-defense and to protect our employees anywhere in the world."
In turn, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani called on security forces on Friday to pursue those responsible for the attack on the US embassy, stating that there is no justification for the attack. He added in a statement that destabilizing Iraq and its internal security and political reputation constitutes "terrorist acts."
Explosions were heard near the US embassy in the heavily fortified Green Zone early on Friday, and sirens sounded to alert people to take cover, according to verified social media videos from the scene.
The United Nations mission in Iraq condemned the attack, stating in a social media post, "Iraq cannot bear the burden of being drawn into a broader conflict that threatens the stability it has struggled to maintain and the achievements attained so far."
Since mid-October, US forces in military bases in Iraq and Syria have faced more than 70 attacks, for which Iraqi Shiite armed groups claimed responsibility. However, diplomatic missions had not faced such attacks until now. No group has yet claimed responsibility for Friday's attack on the US embassy, which occurred around 4 AM local time.
