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The US embassy in Baghdad has been the target of a rocket attack. Reporters shared videos from the Iraqi capital on Twitter. Initially, no details were known about the possible victims.
Several rockets fell on the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Tuesday night. Four Katyusha rockets had hit the so-called Green Zone, the Iraqi security forces’ media department reported on Twitter. This is where the high security government district and the embassies of the US and other countries are located. The rockets were fired from the east of the capital. They reportedly killed a child. At least five people were injured, according to Iraqi security forces. Authorities did not initially provide any information on the age of the murdered child. At first no one confessed to the attack.
Shia militias demand withdrawal of US soldiers
There have been repeated rocket attacks near the Green Zone and at the Baghdad airport in recent months. Most of the local militias are behind this, some of which have the support of neighboring Iran. The attacks were also directed against Iraqi military bases used by US troops. Shiite militias allied with Iran demand the withdrawal of US soldiers.
It is the first attack of its kind since pro-Iranian groups in Iraq agreed a month ago to stop attacks on the site, according to security sources. Journalists from the AFP news agency reported several explosions and the sound of alarm sirens. It is also said that the US embassy’s C-RAM missile defense system was used.
Nearly 90 deadly missile strikes in Iraq
Since October last year, almost 90 deadly rocket and bomb attacks have been carried out against foreign embassies, troops and facilities in Iraq. The United States has repeatedly blamed pro-Iranian militias, such as Hezbollah’s Shiite brigades, for the attacks.
The missile strikes came shortly after the United States announced Tuesday that it would withdraw troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. A few hours earlier, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had telephoned Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi.
By January 15, the number of soldiers will be reduced to about 2,500 each, Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller said. According to the US station CNN, there are currently around 3,000 US troops stationed in Iraq.
