URGENT: Iraqi Prime Minister and US Defense Secretary Address US Embassy Attack in Iraq
https://www.iraqidinarusd.com/2023/12/urgent-iraqi-prime-minister-and-us.html
In a phone call with US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani discussed the recent attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad.
According to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Al-Sudani stressed the importance of maintaining Iraqi sovereignty and reaffirmed the Iraqi government's commitment to protecting diplomatic missions. He called for a cautious response to prevent incidents like Jurf Al-Nasr.
Rocket attacks against the US Embassy in Baghdad and facilities hosting US personnel were condemned by the United States.
The Iraqi Security Forces must investigate and arrest the perpetrators of these attacks and bring them to justice, Miller said.
"Iraq has repeatedly committed to protecting diplomatic missions and US military personnel present in the country at Iraq's invitation. This is non-negotiable, as is our right to self-defense," the US Secretary of State said.
According to Reuters, seven mortar rounds landed in the US Embassy compound in Baghdad early on Friday.
In Iraq, the attack is the largest of its kind against a US facility.
On Friday, at least three missile and drone attacks targeted US forces in Syria, and two attacks targeted US personnel in western Iraq, according to a US defense official.
In late November, US air strikes targeted Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) sites in Jurf Al-Nasr in Babylon governorate, killing five people.
According to a US Army statement, US Central Command forces struck two facilities in Iraq separately and precisely.
US Army officials said the strikes were in response to attacks on American and coalition forces by Iran and Iranian-backed groups.
In response to Washington's support for Israel in the Gaza war, Iraqi armed groups have claimed responsibility for similar attacks on American forces in Iraq and Syria.
After a recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the attacks resumed.
The original article was posted on Iraqi News at approximately 11:45 AM on December 10, 2023. Each of the comments from US Department of State has not yet been confirmed.
