Iraq denies rocket fall near U.S. embassy in Baghdad
Rocket shelling. File photo.
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Iraq denied on Tuesday press reports about a rocket launch that targeted the United States embassy in its capital’s heavily- fortified green zone.
The Counter-Terrorism Service made a statement denying the Daily Beast’s recent report, which quoted a security official saying an Iran-backed militia fired the missile on the facility.
The service said the statement attributed to senior service officials were “untrue”, disavowing any statements made except through its official announcements on its social media pages.
Tensions have risen recently between Washington and Iran as the U.S. administration sent bombers and aircraft carriers to the Middle East to counter what it described as potential threats against U.S interests from Iran. Tehran responded with warnings that it was ready to counter American threats.
The uneasy atmosphere prompted a number of Western countries to announce withdrawal of some of their military or civilian workers in Iraq.
The Green Zone in Baghdad is home to foreign embassies and international organizations. The Iraqi government over the past months announced plans to reopen the area for the public gradually.