A U.S. official confirmed that three rockets struck the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq.

The strike injured one person. The injuries were minor and the person returned to duty.

From CNN:

The State Department did not directly blame Tehran for the rocket strikes in the Iraqi capital, but the spokesperson’s statement made reference to Iranian threats in the region and past attacks by Iranian-backed militias on US interests. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. “The security situation remains tense and Iranian-backed armed groups remain a threat. So, we remain vigilant,” the spokesperson said. Since September there have been more than 14 attacks by Iran and Iranian-supported militias on US personnel in Iraq, according to the State Department. The spokesperson said the State Department would not comment further on the security situation in Baghdad.

Tension has swallowed Baghdad since the U.S. killed top Iranian commander and terrorist Qasam Soleimani in Iraq.

Then Iran attacked an Iraqi military base housing American military men. No one died in that attack, but doctors diagnosed over 30 of them with traumatic brain injuries.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Hoshyar Zebari blamed the militia.

The compound of #USEmbassy in #Baghdad received a direct rockets hit by unruly militia. The Embassy restaurant or canteen was damaged and burned. This is a very dangerous game by #PMF uncontrolled factions to galvanize the tense situation. It must stop. — Hoshyar Zebari (@HoshyarZebari) January 26, 2020

The unruly militia are at it again tonight. 5 rockets are fired on #BaghdadIZ & #usembassy compound.More precise but no casualties. — Hoshyar Zebari (@HoshyarZebari) January 26, 2020

Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi announced the government “condemned the attack and said Iraqi forces have been ordered to ‘deploy, search, and investigate to prevent the recurrence of such attacks, and to arrest those who launched these rockets so that they can be punished.'”

Anti-government protesters have been out in Baghdad since last week, demanding the U.S. leave the city. A popular Shi’ite cleric endorsed the movement but withdrew his support. That has not changed anything with as many as 250,000 people marching in the city.

[Featured image via YouTube]



