Three Katyusha rockets fell inside Baghdad’s Green Zone which houses government buildings and foreign missions, Iraqi police sources.
The three rockets were launched from Zafaraniyah district outside Baghdad, the sources told Reuters, adding that two rockets landed near the U.S. embassy.
Sirens could be heard across the zone immediately after the rockets made impact.
“Rocket attack alarms sounding off multiple times on the #US #Baghdad Embassy Complex and Union III. Heard the booms myself on Union III. Speakers telling all to take shelter immediately.” pic.twitter.com/F1lpbWm9RE
— Nafiseh Kohnavard (@nafisehkBBC) January 20, 2020
The US has blamed Iran-backed paramilitary groups for a spate of similar attacks in recent months on the Green Zone, but there has never been a claim of responsibility.
The attack comes on the heels of a series of similar incidents in recent weeks, with another rocket salvo fired near Camp Taji – a US coalition base north of Baghdad – last Tuesday, wounding at least one Iraqi soldier. Days prior, eight Katyusha rockets hit the Al-Balad air base, another facility housing US troops, injuring four Iraqi personnel. No group has taken responsibility for the attacks.
(Reporting by Baghdad newsroom, writing by Aziz El Yaakoubi)
