• The US Embassy in Baghdad was hit by missile attacks, causing damage and smoke.
• The incident follows strikes that killed three members of Iran-backed groups, escalating tensions.
• This marks the second time the embassy has come under attack since the outbreak of the conflict.
• Iran-aligned groups have pledged to retaliate against US facilities amidst ongoing military actions.
• The US embassy has issued a security alert advising citizens to leave Iraq immediately.

The US Embassy in Baghdad was targeted in a missile attack that caused significant damage, particularly a strike on the helipad, resulting in thick smoke rising from the compound. Iraqi security sources confirmed the attack occurred within the Green Zone, a heavily fortified area that houses governmental institutions and foreign embassies, according to Indiatimes, Reuters, and Al Jazeera.

The attack coincided with ongoing military actions that killed three members of the Iran-backed group Kataeb Hezbollah, further amplifying the hostility in the region. The embassy had warned of the increased risk of attacks by Iranian-aligned militias and urged personnel to avoid the embassy and consulate locations, as stated by Le Monde and Reuters.

This incident marks the second attack on the US Embassy since violent confrontations escalated following US and Israeli operations against Iran, drawing Iraq deeper into regional conflicts. Iranian-backed factions have consistently pledged retaliation against American interests in Iraq, as highlighted by the embassies’ recent security alerts, according to Al Jazeera and Le Monde.