ISLAMABAD: On Friday, rockets were launched at the US embassy in Baghdad in an attack believed to be orchestrated by Iran-aligned militias, known for targeting US interests in Syria and Iraq due to Washington’s support for Israel during the Gaza conflict.
Although no group claimed responsibility, the assault, occurring around 4 am, caused no casualties according to an embassy spokesperson. State media reported damage to the headquarters of an Iraqi security agency.
This incident marked the first direct attack on the US embassy, expanding the scope of targets beyond military bases housing US forces, which had faced numerous attacks since mid-October, sparking concerns of a broader conflict in the region.
A senior official from Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement asserted that attacks by Iran-aligned groups across the Middle East aimed to exert pressure for a cessation of Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip. However, he did not specifically reference the Friday attack.
The series of attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria were claimed by Iran-aligned militias operating under the banner of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq. In response, the US conducted strikes resulting in the deaths of at least 15 militants in Iraq and up to seven in Syria.
These attacks present a challenge for Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who has pledged to safeguard foreign missions. The situation complicates efforts to maintain fragile stability and shift focus towards economic development and attracting foreign investment, including from the United States.
