Middle East/North Africa

Rockets hit near US Embassy in Baghdad: report

At least four small rockets struck near the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and an Iraqi base hosting U.S. troops Sunday morning, The Associated Press reported

Col. Myles B. Caggins III, the spokesperson for Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) in Iraq, said in a statement that there were no casualties and an investigation into the attack is ongoing. 

Three Iraqi security officials confirmed to the AP that two rockets fell within the U.S. Embassy compound, and another hit the operation’s base.

These rocket strikes follow a string of attacks on Iraqi bases hosting U.S. troops, including Thursday when a mortar shell exploded at the K1 Iraqi military base in the Kirkuk province, according to the AP.

Iran launched a missile at one of Iraq’s air bases last month as retaliation for the U.S. strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani a week prior. More than 100 U.S. service members suffered head injuries from the attack. 

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was also the site of protests at the end of December after a U.S. attack killed members of an Iranian-backed militia in Iraq.