Rocket hits Baghdad’s Green Zone ahead of US-Iraq Strategic Dialogue
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – On late Wednesday, a katyusha rocket hit Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone, without causing any casualties, on the eve of the Baghdad-Washington Strategic Dialogue to redraft political relations between the two countries, Iraqi Security Media Cell said.
The rocket attack comes as Washington and Baghdad are expected to convene on redrafting their relations on a variety of sectors including security, political, social, as well as economic. In early April, the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, announced that Washington had proposed a strategic dialogue with the Iraqi government, and it would be held in June.
The dialogue will cover “all strategic issues between our two countries,” Pompeo explained, “including the future presence of the United States forces” in Iraq “and how best to support an independent and sovereign Iraq.”
Read More: US announces strategic dialogue with Iraq
The attacked Green Zone houses diplomatic missions and Iraq’s governmental offices that have been the target of such actions previously, particularly during the mounting tensions between America and Iran. Following the attack, sounds of sirens could be heard inside the US Embassy located in the Zone, security forces told Kurdistan 24.
Read More: Katyusha rocket hits Baghdad’s Green Zone
No entity has claimed responsibility for rocket attack yet, but the Media cell claimed “the rocket was launched near the International Shaab Stadium,” as it announced the news of the attack. It added that it did not cause any causalities.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) will participate in the dialogue between the US and Iraq. Regarding the KRG and its role in next week’s strategic dialogue, KRG envoy to the US, Bayan Abdul Rahman explained, “The Kurdistan Region and the KRG are an essential part of Iraq, as we have a good economic role in Iraq, as well as a major security impact on the country—which is the role of the Peshmerga forces in the country’s security in the fight against ISIS.”
Read More: Kurdish envoy: KRG has good relations with US and will participate in US-Iraq strategic dialogue
Editing by Karzan Sulaivany