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Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani has strongly condemned repeated drone and rocket attacks against the US embassy in Baghdad and pledged to track down and punish perpetrators.
The US embassy, a sprawling complex inside the heavily fortified Green Zone, has been one of the main targets for Iran-backed Shiite militias in Iraq since the US-Israeli war with Iran began.
Over the past two days, attacks on the embassy intensified in a new escalation after continuous US strikes against militias across the country. No casualties have been reported.
On Tuesday night, rockets were launched at the embassy in an attempt to engage air defences before a drone arrived, hitting the building and causing a fire, a security official said.
“Once again, outlaw groups have carried out a criminal act of aggression by targeting the US embassy in Baghdad,” Mr Al Sudani’s military spokesman, Sabah Al Numan, said. “This criminal act is condemned and rejected, and constitutes a blatant terrorist assault on Iraq’s sovereignty.”
He warned that attacking diplomatic missions is an “irresponsible act and represents a serious violation” of international agreements and diplomatic relations, which may lead to “measures that threaten the interests of our nation and our people”.
Mr Al Sudani ordered security forces “not to show leniency” and to pursue the perpetrators and bring them to justice. He added that there will be “no hesitation or retreat” in confronting those who seek to undermine Iraq's security.
The tone of the statement suggests the government intends to reassure the international community and could be seen as an attempt to assert state authority.
The militias' other targets are Harir Air Base, which houses American troops and the US consulate in Erbil, capital of the Kurdistan region; and a logistics hub at Baghdad International Airport that is used by US military personnel.
In response, the US has hit back with strikes on their headquarters in various parts of Iraq, killing and wounding fighters. Strikes against militias were reported across the country overnight, but no details on casualties. Foreign fighter jets flew low over Baghdad early on Wednesday morning in a show of force.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella for pro-Tehran armed groups, has also claimed responsibility for attacks against US troops in Jordan and Kuwait.
Iraq's Interior Ministry on Wednesday called on citizens and media outlets to adhere to security guidelines and refrain from publishing sensitive information, citing the need to protect the country's stability.
"We urge citizens and media institutions to fully comply with the issued instructions and deal with current events responsibly and with high national responsibility," the ministry said.
The ministry emphasised that publishing or sharing videos or images of attacked sites on social media is "strictly prohibited, as it could compromise sensitive locations and aid enemies".
Citizens are also advised to avoid approaching attacked sites to ensure their safety and allow authorities to work effectively, it said.
"The publication of co-ordinates or locations of incidents in a detailed manner is strictly prohibited," the statement added. "Those violating these instructions will face severe legal consequences," it said without specifying these measures.
The ministry also encouraged citizens to report any suspicious content to the hotline (911), assuring that their identities will remain confidential.
"The security of Iraq is a shared responsibility, and adherence to the law is the only way to deter the troublemakers and to maintain security and stability," it said.
