U.S. Embassy in Baghdad Accuses Iran-Aligned Groups of Attack on Diplomatic Facility
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad has accused Iran-aligned militias of carrying out an attack on the Diplomatic Support Compound in the Iraqi capital earlier this week. In a statement released on Friday, the embassy confirmed that the assault occurred on Tuesday, September 10, but reported no injuries.
The U.S. Embassy said, “The Diplomatic Support Compound, a U.S. diplomatic facility in Baghdad, was attacked on Tuesday,” emphasizing that “evidence points to the involvement of militias allied with Iran operating freely in Iraq.”
The facility, which provides logistical and medical support to the U.S. diplomatic mission, has been the target of previous assaults. One of the most notable incidents occurred on January 3, 2022, during the second anniversary of the U.S. airstrike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy leader of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces.
— Ambassador Alina L. Romanowski (@USAmbIraq) September 13, 2024
Iraqi security sources, speaking to AFP, confirmed that two Katyusha rockets had been launched near Baghdad International Airport, one striking a counter-terrorism fence and the other landing inside a coalition base led by the U.S.
This latest attack comes amid heightened regional tensions and just hours before Iranian President Masoud Bozskian arrived in Baghdad for his first foreign visit since taking office in July.
The U.S. currently has approximately 2,500 troops stationed in Iraq and another 900 in Syria as part of the international coalition established in 2014 to combat ISIS. Iran-aligned militias in Iraq have repeatedly called for the withdrawal of these foreign forces.
Negotiations between Baghdad and Washington have been ongoing for months regarding a phased reduction of coalition forces.
Tensions have further escalated since the outbreak of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza on October 7. Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria have launched attacks on bases housing U.S. personnel, in retaliation for Washington’s support for Israel.
In response, the U.S. has conducted multiple airstrikes on militia positions in both Iraq and Syria.
Reaffirming their stance, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad said, “We reserve the right to defend ourselves and protect our personnel anywhere in the world,” while urging the Iraqi government to “safeguard diplomatic and coalition personnel and facilities.”
