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The US Embassy in Baghdad sustained minor damages due to a rocket attack on Friday, as confirmed by US officials.

The assault, which was reportedly aimed at American and allied forces, did not result in any group immediately claiming responsibility. However, a US military official indicated that early evidence suggests the involvement of Iran-aligned militias. The official stated, “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.” They emphasized the US’s right to self-defense and the protection of its personnel globally.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, while not claiming the embassy attack, did take responsibility for other separate assaults on US forces in Iraq on the same day. A direct source our agency has contact with who is involved in security operations at the embassy disclosed that there were three impacts on the embassy, causing minor damage.

An Iraqi security source reported that 14 rockets were fired at the embassy, causing material damage but no casualties. In response to the incident, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani condemned the targeting of diplomatic missions, labeling it as an insult to Iraq’s stability and security, and vowed to apprehend the assailants.

This incident marks the first confirmed attack on the US Embassy since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war. During this period, Iran-backed militias have been implicated in numerous attacks against US troops in Iraq and Syria, with a recent tally of 78 attacks, split between Iraq and Syria. The US military has executed retaliatory strikes in response to these assaults.

The US Embassy in Baghdad, situated in the highly secure Green Zone, has not yet issued an official statement regarding the rocket attack.