(CNN) – Three rockets hit the Embassy complex of U.S in Baghdad on Sunday, leaving an injured person, an American official told CNN.
The official said the injury was minor and that the individual had already returned to service.
A spokesman for the State Department said Sunday night that “they are aware of reports on the launch of rockets in the International Zone,” but he did not mention the US embassy. The State Department did not answer a question about whether any employee of the embassy was injured.
“We call on the Government of Iraq to fulfill its obligations to protect our diplomatic facilities,” the spokesman said.
The State Department did not directly blame Tehran for rocket attacks in the Iraqi capital, but the spokesman’s statement made reference to Iranian threats in the region and previous attacks by Iran-backed militias on US interests. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.
“The security situation remains tense and armed groups backed by Iran remain a threat. Therefore, we remain vigilant, ”said the spokesman. Since September, there have been more than 14 attacks by Iran and militias supported by Iran against US personnel in Iraq, according to the State Department.
The spokesman said the State Department would not comment further on the security situation in Baghdad.
Rep. Michael McCaul, the top Republican on the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, said in a tweet on Sunday that he is “closely monitoring reports of a rocket attack against the US Embassy in Baghdad.”
“Violent acts against our diplomatic facilities are simply unacceptable. We must ensure the safety of US diplomats, troops and other Americans in Iraq. ”
Adil Abdul Mahdi, the prime minister of Iraq, condemned the attack and said Iraqi forces have been ordered to “deploy, search and investigate to prevent the repetition of such attacks and arrest those who launched these rockets so they can be punished.” .
The prime minister said the Iraqi government is “committed to protecting all diplomatic missions and taking all necessary measures to achieve it.”
Earlier this month, the embassy was the target of mass protests in response to US air strikes against a group of militias backed by Iran in late December.
Those attacks were launched in retaliation for attacks by a group of Iran-backed Shiite militias known as Kataib Hezbollah, which injured many members of US military personnel, according to US officials.
The embassy is located in the Green Zone of Baghdad, where the embassies of the United States and other western countries are located. It was initially located in central Baghdad by US-led forces after its invasion of Iraq in 2003 and is largely seen as a safe place, despite being frequently the target of rocket attacks.
There have been numerous rocket attacks in the Green Zone and the surrounding area in recent months. However, all of Iraq is in a high state of alert, as tensions between the United States and Iran have increased dramatically in recent weeks.
On Friday, the Pentagon revealed that 34 members of the US service were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries after an Iranian missile attack on US forces in Iraq earlier this month.
The Iranian attack was in response to the death of the Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in an American attack with drones at the international airport in Baghdad.
Mohammed Tawfeeq, Hamdi Alkhshali and Ryan Browne of CNN contributed to this report.
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