Iraqi PM, US Defense Secretary address attacks on US Embassy in Baghdad
Iraqi Counter Terrorism Forces stand guard outside the US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. Photo: John Moore/Getty Images
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, addressed on Saturday the recent attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad in a phone call with the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin.
Al-Sudani highlighted the need to preserve Iraqi sovereignty and reaffirmed the Iraqi government’s dedication to defending diplomatic missions, calling for a cautious response to avoid incidents such as Jurf Al-Nasr, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The United States condemned the rocket attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad and the attacks against facilities hosting US personnel.
The spokesperson of the US Secretary of State, Matthew Miller, mentioned in a statement that several Iran-aligned militias that operate freely in Iraq threaten the security and stability of Iraq, US personnel, and partners in the region.
“Al-Sudani rightly called these attacks acts of terrorism. We urge the Iraqi Security Forces to immediately investigate and arrest the perpetrators of these attacks and bring them to justice,” Miller said.
“The Iraqi government has repeatedly committed to protecting diplomatic missions as well as US military personnel who are present in the country at Iraq’s invitation. This is non-negotiable, as is our right to self-defense,” Miller added.
Around seven mortar rounds landed in the US Embassy compound in Baghdad during an attack early on Friday, a US military official told Reuters.
Experts said that the attack is the largest of its kind against a US facility in Iraq.
A US defense official also mentioned that at least three missile and drone attacks targeted US forces in different sites in Syria, and two attacks against US personnel stationed in western Iraq took place on Friday.
Five people were killed in late November after sites belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in Jurf Al-Nasr in Babylon governorate were targeted by air strikes carried out by US forces.
US Central Command forces carried out separate and precise strikes on two facilities in Iraq, according to a statement released by the US Army.
The US Army added that the strikes were a direct response to attacks on American and coalition forces by Iran and groups supported by Tehran.
Iraqi armed groups have claimed responsibility for similar attacks on American forces in Iraq and Syria since October 17 in response to Washington’s support for Israel in its war in Gaza.
The attacks stopped during a recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas but resumed after the end of the truce.