U.S. Embassy Under Attack By Iraqi Rockets

The United States Embassy in Baghdad confirmed in a tweet that they were the target of a rocket attack that caused some “minor damage” on the compound. There were no injuries or casualties reported.

The U.S. Embassy confirms rockets targeting the International Zone resulted in the engagement of Embassy defensive systems. There was some minor damage on the Embassy compound but no injuries or casualties. 1/

— U.S. Embassy Baghdad (@USEmbBaghdad) December 20, 2020

A statement from the Iraqi military said “an outlawed group” fired eight rockets targeting the Green Zone, one Iraqi security person stationed at a checkpoint was injured and some damage was caused to a residential complex and several cars. Thankfully the residential complex is usually empty.

A U.S. official in Baghdad said the American military quickly responded by deploying its counter rocket, artillery, and mortar defense system to intercept the imminent rocket attack.

The embassy said, “As we have said many times, these sorts of attacks on diplomatic facilities are a violation of international law and are a direct assault on the sovereignty of the Iraqi government. We call on all Iraqi political and governmental leaders to take steps to prevent such attacks and hold accountable those responsible.”

BREAKING : US Embassy in Baghdad #Iraq targeted with barrage of Katyusha Rockets and mortar shells.

Video shows some getting intercepted. It’s 9 pm in Baghdad now: pic.twitter.com/QjrN29Yp9m

— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) December 20, 2020

A correspondent for ‘The National’ shared a video of the rockets being intercepted on Twitter adding that the embassy was “targeted with barrage of Katyusha Rockets and mortar shells.”

The Trump administration is becoming frustrated with the frequency of the rocket attacks and is placing the blame on Iran-backed militia groups.

Washington warned Iraq a few months ago that it would close the embassy in Baghdad if the government did not take action to end these attacks by Iranian-backed militias on American and allied interests in the country.

The United States plans on reducing the number of troops in Iraq before President Trump leaves office.

The attacks come nearly one year after the U.S. killed Iran’s most powerful general, Qasem Soleimani after the U.S. Embassy was attacked on New Year’s Eve 2019. The violence came to an end only after U.S. Marines came from Kuwait to bolster security.

Soleimani would be assassinated days later in Baghdad.