Drones, rockets strike US Embassy in Baghdad for second day VIDEO

The US Embassy in Baghdad came under attack for the second consecutive day on March 17, CNN reports, citing Iraqi security services.

The new attacks occurred amid statements by the Iraqi army about its intention to track down “outlaw groups” responsible for the violence, CNN reports.

“Once again, outlaw groups have carried out a criminal act of aggression by targeting the headquarters of the United States Embassy in the capital, Baghdad, this evening,” the Iraqi army statement said,” the Iraqi army said in a statement.

“This criminal act, condemned and rejected by the state, constitutes a blatant terrorist assault on Iraq’s sovereignty and authority,” the statement added, vowing to track down “the perpetrators and bring them to justice so that they receive their fair punishment.”

According to security officials, at least four projectiles were launched at the embassy compound, including two drones, one of which fell near the embassy. Earlier on March 17, air defence systems intercepted another projectile heading toward the embassy, officials said.

In a separate incident, two projectiles were fired at a US diplomatic facility near Baghdad International Airport. Air defence systems were activated in response, though officials said they could not immediately provide details on the outcome or possible damage.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq – an umbrella group comprising several Iran-backed militias – claimed on March 17 that it had carried out 47 attacks using dozens of drones and rockets against US-linked sites inside and outside Iraq.

By Khagan Isayev