A drone assault hit a major U.S. diplomatic facility in Iraq on Tuesday in a suspected retaliation by pro-Tehran militias to the U.S. and Israel’s war on Iran, according to a security official and an internal U.S. alert reviewed by The Washington Post.
The strike hit the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center, a sprawling logistical hub for American diplomats near Iraqi military bases and the Baghdad airport, which have come under repeated attack since the start of the U.S. offensive.
Six drones were launched toward the compound, five of which were shot down. One hit the U.S. facility, said the security official, who was not aware of any casualties and who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive security situation. The drone hit near a guard tower and “accountability is ongoing,” according to the State Department alert, which noted that individuals at the facility are ordered to “duck and cover.”
Iraq’s Defense Ministry condemned the attacks near the Iraqi bases but made no mention of the damaged U.S. 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,” said the statement.
