The US-led coalition has confirmed its base in Iraq was hit after the heavily fortified Green Zone came under rocket fire on Saturday night, with multiple blasts reported in the vicinity of the US Embassy.
The US-led coalition says its base in Baghdad was “impacted” by “small rockets” around 3:24am local time. An investigation into the incident is underway, it added.
The attack did not result in any casualties, Col. Myles Caggins, spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Resolve (CJTF-OIR), stated on Twitter, without providing any details.
The Coalition confirms small rockets impacted the Iraqi base hosting @CJTFOIR troops in the International Zone, Feb. 16 at 3:24 a.m. (Iraq Time). No casualties. Investigation ongoing. Follow @OIRSpox & @SecMedCell for updates.
— OIR Spokesman Col. Myles B. Caggins III (@OIRSpox) February 16, 2020
The explosions allegedly rocked Union III coalition base which sits just across the street from the diplomatic compound.
Correction: Union 3 base is across the street to the #US embassy and not inside it.
— Lawk Ghafuri (@LawkGhafuri) February 16, 2020
It is unclear if the attack caused any damage to the facility.
Early reports indicated that at least four blasts struck the area, prompting rocket alarms to be activated.
Multiple videos have circulated online with air raid sirens blaring in the Iraqi capital early Sunday morning local time.
https://twitter.com/thestevennabil/status/1228852485957095424
أصوات الصواريخ التي هزت العاصمة العراقية #بغداد حوالي ٣:٢٥ فجر الاحد. pic.twitter.com/2ZyzZ9xyN6
— ZaidBenjamin زيد بنيامين (@ZaidBenjamin5) February 16, 2020
“Sirens went on and Jets are flying over the area,” Mustafa Salim, a Baghdad-based reporter for the Washington Post, tweeted.
A smoke column is seen in Zayouna area, #Baghdad. No explosions reported in the periphery of the US embassy in Baghdad according to residents there. pic.twitter.com/UQwhvzvuD6
— ZaidBenjamin زيد بنيامين (@ZaidBenjamin5) February 16, 2020
Footage has also emerged online purportedly showing a black pillar of smoke billowing from the neighborhood of Zayouna in eastern Baghdad in the wake of reports that several missiles targeted the Green Zone area.
There have been unconfirmed reports that the smoke was rising near the HQ of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a state-sponsored umbrella group of over 40 militias.
Reports of smoke plumes near the headquarters of the PMF east of #Baghdad following rocket fire directed at the #US Embassy.
— Aurora Intel (@AuroraIntel) February 16, 2020
It’s unclear if the PMF offices have been hit.
The reported attack comes amid heightened tensions in the region that were exacerbated by a recent flare-up between Iran and the US. The showdown that saw Washington assassinating a top Iranian general in a drone strike on January 3 was preceded by an attack that killed a US contractor at K-1 base hosting US troops outside Kirkuk, Iraq on December 27.
The US pinned the blame for the attack on Kataib Hezbollah and bombed out the group’s positions, killing at least 25 fighters. Militia members and locals then organized a siege of the US Embassy in Baghdad, setting checkpoints on fire in an attempt to break into the heavily fortified compound.
Source: RT
