BREAKING US air defences ‘destroyed’ by Iran missile assault on embassy in Iraq as smoke fills sky
The US Embassy in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, has been struck by a missile attack causing smoke to billow from the building.
An Iraqi security source disclosed to Al Jazeera on Saturday that part of the embassy’s air defence system was destroyed in the attack, without providing further specifics. Two security officials informed The Associated Press news agency that a missile hit a helipad within the US Embassy in Baghdad.
The projectile landed within the embassy’s confines in the Green Zone, the heavily fortified area in central Baghdad that is home to Iraqi government institutions and foreign embassies, stated the security officials, who remained anonymous as they are not permitted to engage with the press.
(Image: AP)
The US Embassy in Baghdad has yet to comment on the incident. Social media users have posted videos showing smoke emanating from the compound following the attack.
It is the second time the US Embassy has come under attack in Baghdad since the start of the war. On Friday, the embassy renewed its Level 4 security alert for Iraq, warning Iran and Iran-aligned armed groups have previously carried out attacks against US citizens, interests and infrastructure, and “may continue to target them”.
The embassy complex, which is one of the largest US diplomatic facilities in the world, has been repeatedly attacked by rockets and drones in the past.
(Image: Al Jazeera)
It comes after Donald Trump posted footage of strikes following a major attack on Iran’s Kharg Island after he announced a $10million reward for information on the new Ayatollah.
The furious US President posted the video of the strikes on Iran’s “crown jewel” on Truth Social after declaring America had “obliterated” every military target on an Iranian Island in “one of the most powerful bombing raids in the history of the Middle East“.
Trump celebrated the triumphs of the US military, stating that despite Iran purportedly seeking a deal, he will not entertain one. His post read: “The Fake News Media hates to report how well the United States Military has done against Iran, which is totally defeated and wants a deal – But not a deal that I would accept! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
Washington is also dangling a $10million bounty for information on the regime’s new Ayatollah as massive joint US-Israel strikes continue to hit military and government targets.
The offer also targets figures linked to Iran’s feared Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Officials said: “These individuals command and direct various elements of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which plans, organizes, and executes terrorism around the world.”
Tipsters can pass information via encrypted channels, and could even qualify for relocation along with the huge payout.
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