Katyusha Rockets lands close to US Embassy in Baghdad, no known casualties – reports

An explosion has rocked Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, where the US Embassy is located. Some reports indicate that a rocket was fired, targeting the area.

An unguided (‘Katyusha’) rocket landed inside the Green Zone, Reuters said, citing police sources. There have been no reported casualties so far. Some accounts say the rocket landed not far from the US embassy.

#BREAKING: Rocket landed in the #Baghdad Green Zone

— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) January 4, 2020

#BREAKING A rocket fired towards the Green Zone in #Baghdad, where the US embassy is located: reports

— Guy Elster (@guyelster) January 4, 2020

The blast allegedly blocked the road leading to the American diplomatic mission in the Iraqi capital. Mortar shells also hit the neighboring Jadriya district, where Baghdad University is located, injuring at least five people.

UPDATE:

The missile explosion blocked the entrance to the road leading to the American embassy in Baghdad, per Sky News

— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) January 4, 2020

A separate report suggests that Balad Air Base, located some 60 kilometers north of Baghdad, has also come under rocket attack. The base hosts some American troops.

The incidents come a day after Washington ordered the assassination of one of Iran’s top commanders, Major General Qassem Soleimani.

Iraqi PMF deputy commander was also killed in the US drone strike alongside a dozen other people.

The US claimed the assassination was an act of pre-emptive self-defense. Tehran called it an act of international terrorism and vowed revenge. Massive demonstrations mourning the death of Soleimani and the Iraqi commanders were held in both Iraq and Iran.

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