Rockets strike near U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, officials report no casualties

Two salvos of rockets landed in the vicinity of the embassy complex and did not cause any significant damage, American and Iraqi officials said on Friday. It is the first attack on the embassy, located in Baghdad’s heavily protected Green Zone, since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war. Iraqi government buildings and other embassies are also in the zone. As of noon Friday, no group had claimed responsibility for the attack.

Have there been other attacks on American forces in the region? Iran-backed militias have claimed responsibility for nearly 80 attacks on United States bases in Iraq and Syria in recent weeks, according to the U.S. military. The United States has launched airstrikes in response to several attacks. Roughly 2,500 U.S. troops are currently stationed in Iraq as part of a mission to prevent the terrorist Islamic State group from regaining power. 

Dig deeper: Read Marc LiVecche’s column in WORLD Opinions about how the United States must have a more robust response to Iran’s proxy forces.