Iran Attacks Babylon the Great: Daniel 8

 

Rockets target US embassy in Baghdad, pro-Iran factions suspected

The US embassy condemned the attack, attributing it to “terrorist groups attempting to undermine Iraq’s security, sovereignty, and international relations”.Friday 14/01/2022

A file picture shows Iraqi Counter Terrorism Forces standing guard outside the US embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. (AFP)

BAGHDAD—

At least four rockets targeted the US embassy compound in Baghdad’s heavily-fortified Green Zone on Thursday, Iraqi security officials said. The area is home to diplomatic missions and the seat of the Iraqi government.

Three of the missiles struck within the perimetre of the American embassy, the officials said. Another hit a school located in a nearby residential complex.

An Iraqi military statement said the rockets had been launched from the Dora neighbourhood of Baghdad.

“Three rockets were fired towards the Green Zone,” a high-ranking Iraqi official said on condition of anonymity, adding that two of the wounded were children.

“Two of those fell on the grounds of the American embassy, and the other on a school nearby, injuring a woman, a girl and a young boy.”

Another security source who did not wish to be identified said there were no injuries or damage inside the US embassy compound.

The US embassy in Baghdad said in a statement that its compound had been attacked by “terrorists groups attempting to undermine Iraq’s security, sovereignty and international relations.” The embassy’s C-RAM defence system, supposed to detect and destroy incoming rockets, artillery and mortar shells, was heard during the attack.

The attack is the latest in a series of rocket and drone attacks that have targeted the American presence in Iraq since the start of the year, following the second anniversary of the US strike that killed Iranian General Qassim Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

Last Thursday, a series of attacks targeted American troops in Iraq and Syria. Rockets struck an Iraqi military base hosting US troops in western Anbar province and the capital.

Pro-Iran Shia factions in Iraq have vowed revenge for Soleimani’s killing and have conditioned the end of the attacks on the full exit of American troops from the country.

The US-led coalition formally ended its combat mission supporting Iraqi forces in the ongoing fight against the Islamic State group last month. Some 2,500 troops will remain as the coalition shifts to an advisory mission to continue supporting Iraqi forces.

The top US commander for the Middle East, Marine General Frank McKenzie, warned in an interview last month that he expects increasing attacks on US and Iraqi personnel by Iranian-backed militias determined to get American forces out.