The top U.S. commander in the Middle East, General Frank McKenzie, offered the most precise picture yet on what happened in Sunday evening’s attack on the American Embassy in Baghdad.
Initial reports suggested that katyusha rockets slammed into the heavily fortified compound. McKenzie eventually clarified that a mortar attack caused material damage to the dining hall an injured one U.S. citizen, who has since returned to work.
The security situation in Iraq remains dangerous as armed Iranian proxies continue to operate inside the country largely with impunity.
Former Deputy Iraqi Prime Minister Hoshyar Zebari tweeted his concern about the situation:
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
ABC News further reports:
The U.S. Embassy is within the Iraqi capital’s Green Zone, and has been a flashpoint amid wider regional tensions between the U.S. and Iran, which have played out inside Iraq in recent weeks. Iraqi supporters of an Iran-backed militia stormed the embassy compound on Dec. 31, smashing the main door and setting fire to the reception area.
Violence between Iraqi security forces and anti-government protesters also continued to seethe overnight, with one protester shot dead in a violent crackdown in the country’s south. Unrest was also ongoing in the capital, with new clashes erupting Monday near the central Khilani and Wathba squares, where security forces fired tear gas and live bullets to disperse crowds.
At least 22 protesters were wounded, five due to live fire, security and medical officials said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.
…
There was no claim of responsibility for any of the attacks. But the U.S. has accused Iran-backed militias of targeting U.S. interests by attacking military bases housing Americans and diplomatic missions.
AAN Staff
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