U.S. defense systems engaged multiple rockets that were fired at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq on Thursday night as video of the incident appeared to show at least one rocket exploding on the ground.
“Three of the missiles struck within the parameters of the American Embassy,” The Military Times reported. “Another hit a school located in a nearby residential complex. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk.”
WATCH:
Video purportedly showing rocket attack on U.S. embassy in Baghdad tonight, U.S. military’s C-RAM engaging pic.twitter.com/nlYrATd86D
— Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) January 13, 2022
U.S. officials have repeatedly blamed Iranian-backed proxies for attacks on U.S. forces this year and in recent years, although casualties and damage from the attacks have been minimal due to the U.S.’s far superior military capabilities.
“An Iraqi military statement said a girl and a woman were injured in the attack, without providing more details,” the Associated Press reported. “The statement said the rockets had been launched from the Dora neighborhood of Baghdad.”
U.S. troops stationed at a military base in Iraq were attacked last week with a barrage of Katyusha rockets.
“According to an Iraqi officer, an Iraqi base housing U.S. troops in the western Anbar province was hit with five Katyusha rockets on Wednesday evening; three other rockets fell outside the base’s parameter,” the Associated Press reported. “The officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said U.S.-led coalition forces at the base were forced into shelters by the barrage.”
Sources said that there was no immediate sign of any significant damage or causalities from the attacks.
U.S. officials have warned recently of attacks from Iranian-backed proxies in retaliation for U.S. forces killing Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force (IRGC-QF), a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, in 2020.
“Two explosive-laden drones were shot down on Tuesday by Iraq’s air defenses as they approached the Ain al-Asad air base, which hosts U.S. forces,” Reuters reported. “A similar attack was foiled [last Monday], when Iraqi air defenses downed two drones as they approached a base hosting U.S. forces near Baghdad’s international airport.”
The attacks come as the Biden administration desperately tries to get Iran to reenter a controversial nuclear agreement that critics say did little-to-nothing to stop Iran from being able to obtain a nuclear weapon.
The latest developments come as the website of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei released a video this week depicting the Islamic Republic carrying out a simulated assassination strike on former President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in retaliation for the killing of Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRCG) Quds Force.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked this week on if there have been “threats” that have been made by Iran “in particular against Trump officials who were involved in the Soleimani strike.”
“Well, I’m not going to get into intelligence here, from the podium,” Psaki said. “But we’ve certainly seen concerning public rhetoric from Iranian officials about individuals from previous administrations, even before sanctions from this weekend, and that’s unacceptable.”
This report has been updated to include additional information.