Drones, rockets fired at US embassy in Baghdad

Rockets and at least five drones were ​launched at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad ‌early on Tuesday from areas around the city, Reuters reported citing Iraqi security sources.

The attack has been described as the most intense since ​the start of the U.S.-Israel war with ​Iran.

Reuters reported citing an eyewitness that at least three drones ⁠headed in the direction of the embassy. The ​C-RAM air defence system shot down two of them ​while a third struck inside the embassy compound, from which fire and smoke could be seen rising, the eyewitness said.

Iranian backed militias have been attacking U.S. interests in Iraq in retaliation for the war which began on February 28, according to Reuters.

On Monday, Iran-aligned group Kataib Hezbollah announced ​the death ​of its ⁠senior commander and spokesperson, and Popular Mobilization Forces said air strikes killed at ​least eight of its fighters in the ​Iraqi ⁠town of al-Qaim near Syria.

Reuters reported that Iraqi security forces have been deployed across parts of the capital and closed Baghdad's ⁠fortified ​Green Zone, which houses government buildings ​and diplomatic missions including the U.S. embassy.

The U.S. and Israel launched what they described as a pre-emptive strike against Iran on February 28, claiming that Tehran was developing a nuclear weapon and posed a threat—an allegation Iran has denied. In response, Iran launched counterattacks, firing missiles and drones at Israel, as well as at U.S. assets and other targets across the Middle East.