Iraqi Prime Minister, US Defense Secretary condemn attacks on US embassy in Baghdad

In a recent phone call between Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, the leaders addressed the alarming attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad. Al-Sudani emphasized the importance of preserving Iraqi sovereignty, reiterating the government’s commitment to defending diplomatic missions.

Al-Sudani urged a measured response to prevent incidents akin to Jurf Al-Nasr, emphasizing these sentiments in an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The United States condemned the rocket attacks on its embassy, with US Secretary of State spokesperson Matthew Miller attributing these assaults to Iran-aligned militias operating in Iraq.

Miller stated, “Al-Sudani rightly called these attacks acts of terrorism. We urge the Iraqi Security Forces to immediately investigate and arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice.” Emphasizing the non-negotiable commitment to protecting diplomatic missions and US military personnel in Iraq, Miller asserted the right to self-defense.

The recent attack on the US Embassy compound in Baghdad, where seven mortar rounds landed, is noted as the largest of its kind against a US facility in Iraq. Simultaneously, three missile and drone attacks targeted US forces in Syria, and two attacks occurred against US personnel in western Iraq on Friday.

This escalation follows the tragic events in late November, where air strikes carried out by US forces resulted in the death of five individuals in Jurf Al-Nasr in Babylon governorate. The US Central Command attributed these strikes to direct responses to attacks on American and coalition forces by Iran-supported groups.

Claiming responsibility for similar attacks since October 17, Iraqi armed groups have cited Washington’s support for Israel in the Gaza conflict as a motivation. Although the attacks paused during a recent Israel-Hamas ceasefire, they resumed following the truce’s end, underscoring the complex dynamics influencing the region.