{"id":70801,"date":"2020-12-20T19:31:51","date_gmt":"2020-12-20T19:31:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/12\/20\/iraqi-officials-3-rockets-target-us-embassy-in-baghdad\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T13:35:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T13:35:10","slug":"iraqi-officials-3-rockets-target-us-embassy-in-baghdad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/12\/20\/iraqi-officials-3-rockets-target-us-embassy-in-baghdad\/","title":{"rendered":"Iraqi officials: 8 rockets target US Embassy in Baghdad"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BAGHDAD \u2014 Eight rockets targeted the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad\u2019s heavily fortified Green Zone<\/a> late Sunday, Iraq\u2019s military and Iraqi officials said, sparking fears of renewed unrest as next month\u2019s anniversary of the U.S. slaying of an Iranian general draws near.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Iraqi military statement said an \u201can outlawed group\u201d launched eight rockets targeting the Green Zone, injuring one Iraqi security person manning a checkpoint and causing material damage to a residential complex and some cars. The residential complex is usually empty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. Embassy\u2019s C-RAM defense system, which is used to destroy missiles in mid-air, was activated to deflect the attack, the embassy said in a statement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe U.S. Embassy confirms rockets targeting the International Zone (Green Zone) resulted in the engagement of embassy defensive systems,\u201d the statement said. It said there was some minor damage to the embassy compound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe call on all Iraqi political and governmental leaders to take steps to prevent such attacks and hold accountable those responsible,\u201d the statement said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The thundering sound of the defense system could be heard by Associated Press reporters located on the other side of the Tigris River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The C-RAM system was installed by the U.S. over the summer as armed groups stepped up rocket attacks targeting the embassy and its premises. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. withdrew some staff from its embassy<\/a> in Baghdad earlier this month, temporarily reducing personnel ahead of the first anniversary of the U.S. airstrike that killed Iran\u2019s top general, Qassim Soleimani, outside Baghdad\u2019s airport on Jan. 3. American officials said the reduction stemmed from concerns about a possible retaliatory strike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soleimani\u2019s killing sparked outrage and led Iraq\u2019s parliament to pass a non-binding resolution days later calling for the expulsion of all foreign troops from Iraq.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The frequency of rocket attacks in Iraq has frustrated the Trump administration. Iran-backed militia groups have been blamed for orchestrating the attacks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In September, Washington warned Iraq that it will close its embassy in Baghdad<\/a> if the government fails to take decisive action to end rocket and other attacks by Iranian-backed militias on American and allied interests in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The partial withdrawal from the embassy came amid a drawdown of American troops from Iraq and Afghanistan announced by the outgoing Trump administration last month. In Iraq, the U.S. plans to reduce the number of troops from 3,000 to 2,500 by mid-January, before Trump is to leave office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Associated Press writer Murtada Faraj contributed to this report.<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\ud83d\udd34 #BREAKING<\/a> More than 11 Missiles attack US military base in green zones. \ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf6 pic.twitter.com\/2EnZNh0aJn<\/a><\/p>— Wa\u00ebl (@AiWaelBot) December 20, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote>