US Embassy in Iraq attacked

The US Embassy to Iraq, located in Baghdad’s secure “Green Zone,” was stormed on Dec. 31 by people protesting the US’ presence in Iraq. During the attack, the first perimeter wall was breached and a guard post set on fire before the protesters were pushed back by Iraqi special forces. At the time of the attack, senior embassy staff were not on the premises. No deaths were reported.

The attacking protesters were angry about a US airstrike on Dec. 29 that targeted an Iran-backed militia positioned in Iraq and killed at least 25. Known members of the militia, including one of its leaders, were among the group that attacked the embassy.