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A missile struck a helipad inside the US Embassy compound in Baghdad on Saturday morning, with Iraqi security officials confirming the attack and Associated Press footage showing smoke rising from the heavily fortified Green Zone. Iraqi forces immediately locked down the entire Green Zone area following the incident.

The attack comes amid escalating regional tensions as Iran-aligned militias in Iraq have repeatedly targeted US facilities in response to American military support for Israel’s operations in Gaza and broader Middle East conflicts. The US Embassy had previously issued warnings about potential attacks from these groups. Iraq hosts approximately 2,500 US troops officially focused on counter-terrorism operations, but Iranian-backed militias view American forces as occupiers and have conducted dozens of attacks on US bases since October 2023.

This incident reflects the broader proxy conflict playing out across the region, where Iranian-allied groups in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon have intensified attacks on US and Israeli interests. The targeting of diplomatic facilities represents a significant escalation, as embassies traditionally maintain protected status under international law.

Sources:

• Smoke seen rising from US embassy in Baghdad | US-Israel war on Iran | Al Jazeera
• Missile strikes a helipad inside the US Embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraqi security officials say - The Economic Times
• Missile strikes helipad inside US Embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraqi security officials say | cbs8.com
• Missile strikes helipad inside US Embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraqi security officials say

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