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A rocket exploded near the US embassy. In the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, a total of four Katyusha missiles hit the so-called green zone. This is where the high security government district and the embassies of the US and other countries are located. Iraqi forces say the missiles were fired from east of the capital. There was no information on possible victims. At first no one confessed to the attack.
Apparently, the US Embassy’s C-RAM missile defense system was also used. Local reporters reported several strong explosions.
A journalist tweeted images of the alleged rocket launch site. The embassy’s missile defense systems are said to have rendered them harmless while they were still in the air. According to the AFP news agency, it is the first attack of its kind since pro-Iranian groups in Iraq promised to stop attacks on the site a month ago, according to security sources.
Trump has withdrawn more troops
Shortly before the attacks, Donald Trump announced a troop withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan. By January 15, the number of soldiers will be reduced to about 2,500 each, Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller said at the Pentagon on Tuesday. The partial withdrawal would be implemented immediately before the inauguration of the elected president of the United States, Joe Biden.
The Defense Department did not provide information on how many US soldiers are currently stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq. According to the US broadcaster CNN, there are 4,500 and 3,000 respectively. (Vof)
