Iraqi authorities emphasized that attacking diplomatic missions poses a threat to the country's security and stability. Subsequently, on March 9, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Iraqi authorities to ensure the security of the embassy following recent violent protests and incidents. On Saturday, a drone struck the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, causing smoke and flames to emerge from the building, according to sources in Iraqi security services, who also reported having no information about possible casualties. Meanwhile, a video showing smoke and flames emanating from the U.S. mission, located in the heart of the heavily fortified Green Zone in central Baghdad, is being circulated on social media. Since the U.S. and Israel began their bombing campaign against Iran and assassinated Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad has been the target of several attacks. On March 1, several dozen protesters attempted to storm the Green Zone of the capital, chanting 'Death to America.' On March 7, the embassy was attacked with rockets of unknown origin. The U.S. government reinforced security at its diplomatic facilities. On March 10, a drone struck the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center, a logistics complex used by U.S. diplomatic personnel near the airport. The same day, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani condemned the attack, calling it a 'terrorist act' and ordered the pursuit of those responsible. The embassy's air defense system intercepted the projectiles, and according to Iraqi security sources, it had not been determined if there was damage. Of at least six drones launched, five were intercepted and one struck the compound without any reported casualties. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Israel have bombed positions and barracks of the Popular Mobilization Forces, a confluence of several groups of different orientations, fully integrated into the Iraqi Armed Forces, many of which are openly pro-Iranian and composed of Shiites. The U.S. considers some of these militias to be terrorist groups.
