US embassy in Iraq

Baghdad (dpa) — The US embassy in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, has once again come under fire.

Smoke rose from the building in the heavily fortified government district on Tuesday, according to Iraqi media reports.

No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. Just two days ago, an attack apparently hit an air defense system at the embassy.

“Prohibited groups” attacked the embassy again, the Iraqi armed forces announced.

They described it as a “terrorist attack” on the country’s sovereignty.

Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani condemned attacks on embassies and other diplomatic missions in the country.

He called them “criminal attempts to endanger Iraq, its security, and its stability.”

Iraq borders Iran and has been the scene of numerous attacks in the course of the war.

Militias allied with Tehran wield considerable influence in Iraq and repeatedly claim responsibility for attacks on US troops in the country.

In recent days, these attacks have included attacks on a US military base near Baghdad airport.

Parts of Iraq’s Shiite community fear that a weakening of Iran could also reduce their own political influence in Iraq. Some observers warn that developments in neighboring Iran could trigger new unrest in Iraq.