Three rockets hit near the US embassy in the Iraqi capital’s high-security Green Zone, security sources said, with no immediate reports of casualties.
At least two explosions went off near the US Embassy on Monday night, while a third rocket also landed elsewhere in the Green Zone complex, according to security sources. The attack was launched from a district on the outskirts of Baghdad.
Video footage circulating on social media appears to show an area near the complex, where emergency sirens could be heard blaring immediately after the rockets made impact.
“Rocket attack alarms sounding off multiple times on the #US #Baghdad Embassy Complex and Union III. Heard the booms myself on Union III. Speakers telling all to take shelter immediately.” pic.twitter.com/F1lpbWm9RE
— Nafiseh Kohnavard (@nafisehkBBC) January 20, 2020
BREAKING: At least two Katyusha rockets hit #Iraq capital, Baghdad’s Green Zone- the first in few days lull after near daily incidents. Alarm sirens can be heard sounding through heavily fortified zone. No casualties reported yet. pic.twitter.com/nHqZLu26pB
— Arwa Ibrahim (@arwaib) January 20, 2020
The attack comes on the heels of a series of similar incidents in recent weeks, with another rocket salvo fired near Camp Taji – a US coalition base north of Baghdad – last Tuesday, wounding at least one Iraqi soldier.
The attack is another shock to the already faltering hold of US forces in Iraq. Ever since US’ drone strike killed Iranian commander, General Qassem Soleimani, there have been consistent destructive events weakening US occupation of Iraq; this latest one might just serve as a wake up call for the Trump administration to take the issue seriously.
Days prior, eight Katyusha rockets hit the Al-Balad air base, another facility housing US troops, injuring four Iraqi personnel.
Strategists and political think-tanks have been saying that it seems that the US strategy for its operations in the Middle East is not clear and is devoid of a sense of direction, with Trump erratically giving out orders of strikes further endangering US presence in the region.
The US has blamed Iran-backed paramilitary groups for a spate of similar attacks in recent months on the Green Zone, however, no group has taken responsibility for the attacks yet.
Read more: Pro-Iran protesters dig in outside US embassy in Baghdad
RT with additional input from GVS News Desk (Rai Mustafa Bhatti)