Drone strike damaged US diplomatic compound in Iraq

Six drones were launched toward the compound. Five were intercepted before reaching the site, while one penetrated the defenses and struck near a guard tower.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

A suspected militia drone strike damaged a U.S. diplomatic logistics compound in Baghdad on Tuesday, in what officials believe was retaliation linked to the ongoing U.S.- and Israel-led war against Iran, according to a security official and material examined by The Washington Post.

The facility struck was the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center, a large operational hub used to sustain U.S. diplomatic activity and located close to Iraqi military installations and Baghdad’s airport, an area that has repeatedly come under attack since the start of the U.S. offensive.

Air defenses engaged multiple incoming aircraft during the incident.

A security official said six drones were launched toward the compound. Five were intercepted before reaching the site, while one penetrated the defenses and struck near a guard tower.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the matter involves a sensitive security situation, said no casualties had been confirmed.

An internal State Department alert reviewed by The Washington Post said personnel inside the compound were ordered to “duck and cover” following the impact. The message said the drone struck near a guard tower and noted that “accountability is ongoing.”

Washington blamed Iranian-aligned armed groups for the assault. The State Department said Wednesday that it “strongly condemns these attacks on our diplomatic facilities in Iraq” by “Iran-backed terrorist militias.”

“We remain in close contact with the government of Iraq regarding steps to protect U.S. personnel and facilities,” the department said in a statement.

Authorities in Baghdad also responded. Iraq’s Defense Ministry condemned attacks that occurred near Iraqi military bases but did not mention damage to the American facility.

“The Ministry of Defense stresses that it will not stand by as a spectator. Rather, it will firmly confront and pursue … all parties involved,” the ministry said.

According to the security official, the attack was likely carried out by fighters linked to the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iranian-supported armed groups that has increased operations since Feb. 28, when U.S. and Israeli combat operations killed Iran’s supreme leader.