Rocket Attack Hits US Embassy in Iraq  12/08 06:13

   

   BAGHDAD (AP) -- A rocket attack on the sprawling U.S. Embassy in Baghdad 
caused minor damage but no casualties Friday morning, U.S. and Iraqi officials 
said.

   The attack is the first on the embassy located in the heavily fortified 
Green Zone of Iraq's capital to be confirmed since the beginning of the 
Israel-Hamas war. The Green Zone houses Iraqi government buildings and 
embassies on the west bank of the Tigris River.

   Iran-backed militias in Iraq have claimed responsibility for dozens of 
attacks that targeted bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria since Israel 
declared war on Hamas two months ago. The U.S. military says 78 attacks have 
been carried out against U.S. facilities over the past weeks, of which 37 were 
in Iraq and 41 in Syria.

   An Iraqi security official said 14 Katyusha rockets were fired Friday, of 
which some struck near one of the U.S. Embassy's gates while others fell in the 
river. The official said the rocket attack caused material damage but no 
casualties.

   A U.S. military official said a multi-rocket attack was launched at American 
and coalition forces in the vicinity of the embassy complex and the Union III 
base, which houses offices of the U.S.-led coalition. The official added that 
no casualties and no damage to infrastructure were reported.

   An embassy spokesperson said the U.S. Embassy was attacked by two salvos of 
rockets at approximately 4:15 a.m. (0215 GMT).

   "Assessments are ongoing, but there are no reported casualties on the 
embassy compound," the official said, adding that no specific group had claimed 
responsibility for firing the rockets as of Friday morning but early 
indications pointed to Iran-aligned militias.

   "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," the official said. "We reiterate that we reserve the right to 
self-defense and to protect our personnel anywhere in the world."

   The three officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

   Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said in a statement that 
"targeting diplomatic missions is something that cannot be justified." He 
called the attack an "insult to Iraq, its stability and security," and promised 
to "pursue the perpetratrors of the attack ...and bring them to justice."

   Sudani came to power with the support of a coalition of Iran-backed parties. 
But he also wants continued good relations with the U.S. and has backed the 
ongoing presence of American troops in his country.

   While no group claimed responsibility for the embassy attack, the Islamic 
Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias, issued 
statements claiming separate attacks Friday on the al-Asad airbase in western 
Iraq, which is used by U.S. forces, and on a base located at the Conoco gas 
field in eastern Syria.

   There are roughly 2,500 U.S. troops in Iraq and around 900 others in eastern 
Syria, on missions against the Islamic State group. In both countries, Iran has 
militias loyal to Tehran.

   In response to attacks against American troops, the U.S. has retaliated with 
airstrikes three times in Syria since Oct. 17, targeting weapons depots and 
other facilities linked directly to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps and the 
militias. The U.S. also struck multiple sites in Iraq late last month after a 
militia group for the first time fired short-range ballistic missiles at U.S. 
forces at al Asad air base.