The U.S. embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, came under rocket fire on Friday morning by suspected Iran-backed militias on Friday as similar attacks against U.S. troops have begun to escalate once more, Reuters reported.
Drone and rocket attacks on bases in Iraq and Syria housing U.S. troops have escalated once more after a lull corresponding with the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that occured between Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, the Pentagon confirmed Thursday. At the same time, an Iran-aligned militia group was believed to have launched two rocket salvos at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, but the attack did not cause any casualties, Reuters reported, citing an embassy spokesperson.
No group immediately claimed responsibility.
“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 spokesperson told Reuters. (RELATED: Biden Team Decides Against Striking Back At Houthi Rebels Despite Recent Attacks)
An umbrella organization representing multiple Iran-aligned militias claimed attacks on the embassy in Baghdad in mid-October, just days after Israel went to war with Hamas, according to Reuters. The terrorist group that killed 1,200 Israelis in a bloody incursion on Oct. 7.
That group, Islamic Resistance of Iraq, threatened to target U.S. troops in response to American military support for Israel.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered Iraqi security forces to pursue the attackers, calling them “unruly, lawless groups that do not in any way represent the will of the Iraqi people,” Reuters reported, citing a statement from the prime minister’s office. The Iran-backed groups were committing acts of terrorism and undermining stability in the country, he said.
Iran-backed militia groups have attacked bases in Iraq and Syria housing U.S. troops at least 78 times, but none in the previous 24 hours, Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said at a press briefing on Thursday.
Islamic Resistance in Iraq has claimed additional attacks not confirmed by the Pentagon, including over the past two days.
November 2023 Month in Review: The Defeat ISIS Mission in Iraq and Syria
TAMPA, Fla. – During the month of November 2023, U.S. Central Command, along with coalition and other partners, conducted a total of 40 D-ISIS operations resulting in 4 ISIS operatives killed and 33… pic.twitter.com/syqLDhxUdD
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 7, 2023
“Our missiles, drones, and special forces are ready to direct qualitative strikes at the American enemy in its bases and disrupt its interests if it intervenes in this battle,” Ahmad “Abu Hussein” al-Hamidawi, head of the Kata’ib Hezbollah militia, said in October, according to The Associated Press.
The U.S. has about 2,500 troops in Iraq to advise and assist Iraqi security forces and other partners in the continuing effort to defeat the Islamic State, according to Reuters. Approximately 900 troops are in Syria for the same purpose.
The Senate voted against a resolution to remove U.S. troops from Syria on Thursday, Defense News reported.
The U.S. consulate general in Erbil did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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