Missile hits US Embassy compound in Baghdad

A missile struck the compound of the Embassy of the United States in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Saturday (March 14), according to Iraqi security sources.

Two security officials told Associated Press that the missile hit a helipad within the embassy compound located in Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the area houses key Iraqi government institutions as well as several foreign diplomatic missions.

Videos circulating on social media showed plumes of smoke rising from inside the compound after the strike.

No casualties or confirmed damage figures have been reported so far. The US embassy has not issued an immediate comment on the incident.

According to Iraqi security sources, part of the embassy’s air defense system was damaged in the attack, although further details were not immediately available.

Regional tensions have surged since February 28 following joint military strikes by United States and Israel against Iran, according to reports by Al Jazeera and Syrian Arab News Agency. The latest incident marks the second attack targeting the US embassy in Baghdad since the escalation began.

On Friday, the embassy issued a “Level 4” security alert for Iraq, warning that Iran and Iran-aligned armed groups have previously targeted US citizens, interests, and infrastructure and could carry out further attacks.