US Embassy in Iraq Hit by Missile Attack

The United States Embassy in Baghdad has come under missile attack, with a projectile striking a helipad inside the compound. Security sources say the strike damaged part of the embassy’s air defence system, and smoke was seen rising from the building.

The attack occurred in the Green Zone, the heavily fortified district that houses Iraqi government offices and foreign missions. Hours later, the embassy issued a security alert urging US citizens in Iraq to leave immediately, warning of threats from Iran aligned militia groups.

Al Jazeera reports there were no immediate details on casualties or the full extent of damage. However, Iran backed armed groups have long pledged to target US facilities in Iraq, especially the embassy. Just a day earlier, they offered a $100,000 reward for information on US diplomatic staff.

This marks the second attack on the embassy since the war began. The sprawling compound, one of the largest US diplomatic facilities worldwide, has faced repeated rocket and drone strikes in recent years.

The latest incident came shortly after US strikes killed three members of Kataib Hezbollah, a powerful Iran backed faction within Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces. Analysts say the attack reflects the ongoing proxy conflict between the US and Iran, which has intensified since February 28 when US and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered a wider Middle East war.

Iraq has since been dragged deeper into the conflict, with Iran aligned groups targeting US bases and Washington responding with airstrikes on pro Iran militias. The embassy’s renewed Level 4 security alert warns that such groups may continue to attack US citizens, interests, and infrastructure in Iraq.

Videos shared online showed smoke rising from the embassy compound after the missile strike, underscoring the vulnerability of US facilities in Baghdad despite heavy fortifications.

Observers say the attack highlights Iraq’s precarious position as a battleground in the escalating US Iran confrontation, with both sides trading strikes and the risk of further escalation looming large.

This latest strike shows how quickly Iraq has become a frontline. It underscores the growing danger of the wider Middle East war. Analysts warn that unless diplomatic efforts are intensified, Iraq could face prolonged instability, with its citizens bearing the brunt of a conflict that is not of their making.