US embassy in Baghdad targeted with rockets, Iraqi PM issues order to pursue perpetrators

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The US embassy to Baghdad on Friday said that it was targeted with two salvos of rockets, resulting in no reported casualties, and called on the Iraqi government to protect diplomatic missions and coalition personnel and facilities in a statement to reporters. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani issued a directive ordering security officials to pursue the perpetrators.
 
“At approximately 4:15 am on Friday, December 8, the U.S. Embassy was attacked by two salvos of rockets. Assessments are ongoing, but there are no reported casualties on the Embassy compound,” read a statement from the embassy sent to reporters.

According to the statement no specific group has claimed the responsibility for the attack yet, “but indications are the attacks were initiated by Iran-aligned militias, which operate freely in Iraq”.

“We again call on the Government of Iraq, as we have done on many occasions, to do all in its power to protect diplomatic and Coalition partner personnel and facilities,” continued the statement, stressing that the US reserves “the right to self-defense” and to protect their personnel.

The attack comes days after the US unmanned aerial system killed five members of the Iran-backed militia near Kirkuk. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement the attack was an act of self-defense, as the five militants were “preparing to launch a one-way attack drone” on its forces.

Yehia Rasool, military spokesperson for the Iraqi prime minister, said in a statement on Friday that Sudani issued a directive “to pursue the perpetrators of Friday’s attack and bring them to justice.”

In the statement, Sudani stressed that the perpetrators of the attacks “are committing an insult to Iraq, its stability and security,” adding that the group does not represent the people of Iraq.

Sudani reiterated that the Iraqi security forces and government executive agencies will continue to protect the diplomatic missions in the country.

Following an attack on the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Command (PMF) in November, Sudani told US State Secretary Antony Blinken in a phone call that he “firmly” rejected any attack on Iraqi soil, describing the attacks as a “violation to the Iraqi sovereignty,” as they took place without government knowledge.

At the same time, the US top diplomat renewed his call on the Iraqi government to fulfill its commitment to protect US personnel in Iraq.

The United Nations Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI) on Friday condemned the rocket attack on the US Embassy.

“UNAMI condemns this morning's rocket attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad. All diplomatic premises must be protected in line with international law, as underscored by the Iraqi Government,” read the statement by UNAMI, stressing that Iraq’s security and stability are “front and centre” in their engagements.

“Iraq cannot afford to be drawn into a wider conflict, which would threaten hard-won stability and the achievements made so far,” concluded the statement.

Around 2,500 American troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria are leading an international coalition through Operation Inherent Resolve that has assisted Kurdish, Iraqi, and local Syrian forces in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS), which once held swathes of land in Iraq and Syria but was declared territorially defeated in 2019.

Since October 17, US troops based in Iraq and Syria have been attacked with one-way drones and rockets 78 times by armed groups backed by Iran, causing over 65 injuries to American personnel, according to the Pentagon. The groups are angry over Washington’s support for Israel in its fight against the Palestinian Hamas Movement in the Gaza Strip. 

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