Rocket Strikes U.S. Embassy in Iraq, No Casualties Reported

Bronson Stocking | January 26, 2020 8:30 PM

At least one rocket hit the U.S. Embassy in Iraq on Sunday, according to multiple reports. No injuries or deaths were reported.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Hoshyar Zebari blamed the rocket attack on an “unruly militia," claiming that five rockets had been fired at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Zebari tweeted that a restaurant in the embassy had been "damaged and burned" and described the attack as "a very dangerous game by [Popular Mobilization Forces] uncontrolled factions to galvanize the tense situation."

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

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

Fox News reports that five Katyusha rockets were fired into a riverbank in the city's Green Zone during a separate attack that also resulted in no injuries and no serious damage. In a statement, Iraq Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi condemned the attack on the U.S. Embassy. Anti-government protestors took to the streets on Sunday in protest over a religious leader's decision to withdraw support from the popular movement.

This is the third attack on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad this month. Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi condemned the attack on Sunday, warning such "aggression" could "drag Iraq into becoming a war zone." The U.S. State Department called upon the Iraqi government to honor its diplomatic commitments and protect the embassy.