Iraq: Baghdad targets green zone again

Text by: RFI Follow

In Iraq, in Baghdad, the "green zone", where the American embassy is located, was once again targeted on the night of February 15 to 16, 2020. Rockets hit near the diplomatic infrastructure , without causing casualties or damage, according to the security forces.

Publicity

With our correspondent in Baghdad, Lucile Wassermann

Three explosions, followed by alarm bells from the American embassy, ​​once again broke the silence of the night in Baghdad. At 3:30 am (local time), the ultra-secure district of the "green zone" , where most of the political institutions are located, was targeted: three Katyusha rockets crashed near the American Embassy, affecting in particular a military base where the forces of the international coalition are. An attack which however did not make victims, according to the troops on the spot.

Nineteen similar attacks

Since October 2019, nineteen similar attacks have targeted facilities used by the United States in the country. These shootings have never been claimed, but Washington accuses Iraqi armed groups close to Tehran . One of these attacks had notably killed an American subcontractor on December 27, and triggered the escalation between the United States and Iran in the region.

vengeances

Since the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi leader Abu Mahdi al Mohandes, some of these factions have continued to threaten the United States, promising to avenge the two men. Hostilities which have intensified for a week and the end of the forty days of mourning observed by the Shiites in the country.

► Iraq: a military base housing American soldiers targeted by rockets

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