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Three rockets crash into Baghdad’s U.S. Embassy compound, wounding one Three rockets crash into Baghdad’s U.S. Embassy compound, wounding one
(about 2 hours later)
BAGHDAD — A suspected militia rocket attack on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad wounded one person late Sunday, officials said, underscoring the growing risks to personnel there amid calls for an end to America's military presence.BAGHDAD — A suspected militia rocket attack on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad wounded one person late Sunday, officials said, underscoring the growing risks to personnel there amid calls for an end to America's military presence.
Late night rocket attacks on Baghdad’s Green Zone have become commonplace as the Trump administration increases financial and political pressure on Iran, which backs a number of militias in Iraq. Late-night rocket attacks on Baghdad’s Green Zone, home to government buildings and embassies, have become commonplace as the Trump administration increases financial and political pressure on Iran, which backs a number of militias in Iraq.
The strike Sunday was the first known direct hit inside the U.S. Embassy’s heavily-fortified compound. One missile hit the dining facility, while two others landed close by, officials said. The strike Sunday was the first known direct hit inside the U.S. Embassy’s heavily fortified compound. One missile hit the dining facility, while two others landed close by, officials said.
The identity and nationality of the wounded individual was not made public Monday, but U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject, said that the person had suffered a non-life threatening injury, and that a small fire had also been extinguished. The identity and nationality of the wounded individual was not made public Monday, but U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject, said that the person had suffered a non-life-threatening injury and that a small fire had been extinguished.
Maj. John Rigsbee, a U.S. military spokesman, said that officials are aware of the attack and all Defense Department personnel have been accounted for.Maj. John Rigsbee, a U.S. military spokesman, said that officials are aware of the attack and all Defense Department personnel have been accounted for.
At least 6 dead as Iraqi security forces move in on protester camps, firing tear gas, bulletsAt least 6 dead as Iraqi security forces move in on protester camps, firing tear gas, bullets
Sunday’s attack came almost exactly a month after a similar attack killed an American contractor on a military base in northern Iraq, sparking an intense round of brinksmanship which pushed the United States and Iran to the brink of open conflict. Sunday’s attack came almost exactly a month after a similar attack killed an American contractor on a military base in northern Iraq, sparking an intense round of brinkmanship which pushed the United States and Iran to the edge of open conflict.
In late December, after the U.S. launched retaliatory air strikes on an Iran-backed militia group, Kataeb al-Hezbollah, its supporters responded with a brief siege of Baghdad’s U.S. Embassy. In late December, after the United States launched retaliatory airstrikes on an Iran-backed militia group, Kataib Hezbollah, its supporters responded with a brief siege of Baghdad’s U.S. Embassy.
Days later, President Trump ordered a drone strike which killed one of Iran’s top military commanders as he arrived in Baghdad, and Tehran hit back with waves of ballistic missiles on a U.S.-controlled section of Iraq’s Ain al-Asad air base. At least 34 U.S. troops have since been treated for traumatic brain injuries. Days later, President Trump ordered a drone strike that killed one of Iran’s top military commanders as he arrived in Baghdad, and Tehran hit back with waves of ballistic missiles on a U.S.-controlled section of Iraq’s Ain al-Asad air base. At least 34 U.S. troops have since been treated for traumatic brain injuries.
Although tensions have ebbed, Sunday’s rocket attack highlights the persistent threat to U.S. diplomatic and military facilities in Iraq. Although tensions have ebbed, Sunday’s attack highlights the persistent threat to U.S. diplomatic and military facilities in Iraq.
The country’s prime minister is under growing pressure to expel foreign troops and rocket attacks on the Green Zone have become a weekly occurrence. No group has claimed responsibility for the strike Sunday, or any before it. The country’s prime minister is under growing pressure to expel foreign troops, and rocket attacks on the Green Zone have become a weekly occurrence. No group has claimed responsibility for the strike Sunday, or any before it. Kataib Hezbollah denied involvement. Militiamen from other groups also publicly condemned the attack.
In a statement, Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi described it as a “hostile” act. In a statement, Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi described it as a “hostile” act.
“While condemning this illegal act, we instructed our security forces to arrest the attackers and bring them to justice,” he said.“While condemning this illegal act, we instructed our security forces to arrest the attackers and bring them to justice,” he said.
Analysts and Western officials believe that Abdul Mahdi has limited control over Iraq’s constellation of militia groups, particularly those backed or influenced by Iran.
Several have been involved in a deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters in Iraq. Although the prime minister has repeatedly vowed to punish those responsible for the worst violations, no senior figures have been singled out.
Mustafa Salim in Baghdad and John Hudson in Washington contributed to this report.Mustafa Salim in Baghdad and John Hudson in Washington contributed to this report.
Trump administration insists U.S. troops will remain in IraqTrump administration insists U.S. troops will remain in Iraq
More than a dozen missiles hit two bases in Iraq, Pentagon saysMore than a dozen missiles hit two bases in Iraq, Pentagon says
Trump administration refuses to heed Iraq’s call for troop withdrawalTrump administration refuses to heed Iraq’s call for troop withdrawal
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