Drone attack on US Embassy in Baghdad sparks fire, sirens sound in Green Zone

Baghdad (The Uttam Hindu): A major attack took place on the United States Embassy in Iraq’s capital Baghdad on Tuesday, triggering a fire inside the compound. The incident occurred when two explosive-laden drones crashed within the embassy premises, causing blasts and setting parts of the facility ablaze.

The attack happened in Baghdad’s highly secured Green Zone, where the US Embassy is located. According to reports, sources from Iraq’s Interior Ministry said both drones exploded upon impact inside the security perimeter, leading to a fire and visible smoke rising from the compound.

Sirens were immediately activated across the embassy premises during the attack. However, the defense systems reportedly failed to intercept the incoming drones, allowing them to breach security and strike within the compound.

There were no immediate reports of casualties, but the fire is believed to have caused damage to embassy buildings and infrastructure.

Sources indicated that multiple attempts were made to target the embassy from Monday evening until early Tuesday morning. Video footage circulating online showed a drone exploding very close to the embassy, suggesting repeated breaches of security within a short span of time.

Baghdad’s Green Zone is considered one of the most secure areas in Iraq, housing key government buildings, parliament and several foreign embassies, including that of the United States. However, the area has been targeted multiple times in recent years by rocket and mortar attacks.

Meanwhile, Iraq’s Oil Ministry reported that the Majnoon oil field in southern Iraq was also targeted by two drones late Monday night. According to ministry spokesperson Sahib Bazoon, one drone hit a telecom tower without causing damage, while the second targeted offices of an American company operating in the area.

In a separate development, Iraq’s paramilitary group Popular Mobilization Forces claimed that six of its members were killed and four others injured in an alleged Israeli strike in the western province of Anbar. The group said the attack targeted a checkpoint near the Syrian border in the city of Al-Qaim.

The PMF stated that the location was an “official security checkpoint” and that its personnel were on duty protecting the country’s sovereignty at the time of the attack.