Baghdad explosions: rockets strike near US embassy in Iraq

[Devil Child]

Source: Guardian

Multiple rockets hit near the US embassy in Iraq’s capital early on Sunday, an American military source said, the latest in a flurry of attacks against US assets in the country.

The assault sent warning sirens blaring across the diplomatic compound but it was unclear exactly what was hit and how many rockets made impact, the US source and a western diplomat based nearby said. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Agence France-Presse’s correspondents heard multiple strong explosions followed by aircraft circling near the green zone, the high-security enclave where the US mission is located.

It was the 19th attack since October to target either the embassy or the roughly 5,200 US troops stationed alongside local forces across Iraq. The attacks are never claimed but the US has pointed the finger at Iran-backed groups within the Hashed al-Shaabi, a military network officially incorporated into Iraq’s state security forces.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/16/iraq-explosions-rockets-strike-near-us-embassy-in-baghdad

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Continued tit-for-tat escalation between Iran, their supported Iraqi militants, and the US military.

[sandensea]

1. Cheeto wants war, and he wants it NOW.

A lot like his taco bowls, his emoluments, his daughter's derrière, etc.

[former9thward]

7. The U.S. is not the one shooting the rockets...

[Wellstone ruled]

2. Never forget,

Fighting season starts in March in the Middle East.

[Canoe52]

3. Do they call it March Madness... or is that already trademarked?

[Midnight Writer]

4. Sorry, European Press. (Ooops! Guess your're not EU anymore).We Yanks are busy watching shiny things

Trump may have another meltdown. Or maybe a Real Housewife will.

You would think this would be news in USA, since we have people stationed there.

[yaesu]

5. oh, hey USA, I've got an idea, why don't you fucking leave like their government told you to do. nt

[SunSeeker]

6. It appears two rockets hit inside our embassy compound, not just "near" it.

Last edited Sun Feb 16, 2020, 09:53 AM - Edit history (1)

ABC is now reporting that Iraqi security officials are contradicting the official US account:

At least four rockets hit near the sprawling U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and a Iraqi base hosting American troops inside the Green Zone early Sunday, but caused no casualties and only minor damage, U.S. and Iraqi officials said.

The attack came just before 3:30 a.m. local time, according to Col. Myles B. Caggins III, a spokesman for the U.S. military operation in Iraq. He only said the rockets hit the base hosting U.S. and other coalition forces.

However, three Iraqi security officials said two of the rockets fell inside the U.S. Embassy compound, while another hit near the coalition base. The Iraqi officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/rockets-strike-iraqi-base-hosting-us-troops-injuries-69014318?cid=clicksource_4380645_3_mobile_web_only_headlines_headlines_hed



But litlle to nothing about this on other US news outlets. CNN? WaPo? NYT? NBC? Hellooooo, anyone home???

[Laelth]

8. Thank you for the update. n/t

-Laelth

[Devil Child]

9. Thanks for the update SunSeeker!

[keithbvadu2]

10. More 'headaches' diagnosed by Dr. Trump and Dr. Cotton.

More 'headaches' diagnosed by Dr. Trump and Dr. Cotton.