US embassy in Baghdad hit by missiles

At least five katyusha rockets landed in the heavily fortified Green Zone in Iraq's capital, some of which directly struck the U.S. embassy, caretaker Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi said early on Jan. 27.

"This hostile attack on a foreign mission was repeated with missiles falling inside the U.S. embassy compound. While condemning this illegal act, we instructed our security forces to arrest the attackers and bring them to justice," Abdul-Mahdi said in a statement

No casualties or material damage has been reported so far.

He added that this kind of attack could turn Iraq into a conflict zone.

Meanwhile, the U.S. called on Iraq to protect American diplomatic facilities after the U.S. embassy in Baghdad was hit by three rockets.    

"We call on the Government of Iraq to fulfill its obligations to protect our diplomatic facilities," a State Department spokesperson said in a statement.    

The attack marked a dangerous escalation in a spree of rocket attacks in recent months that have targeted the embassy or Iraqi military bases where American troops are deployed.     

On Jan. 26, one rocket hit an embassy cafeteria at dinner time while two others landed nearby, a security source told AFP.    

"Since September there have been over 14 attacks by Iran and Iranian-supported militias on US personnel in Iraq," the State Department spokesperson said.    

"The security situation remains tense and Iranian-backed armed groups remain a threat. So, we remain vigilant."

None of the attacks has been claimed, but Washington has repeatedly blamed Iran-backed military factions in Iraq.     

The attack came two days after thousands of Iraqis gathered in Baghdad calling for U.S. troops to leave the country.<...