U.S. Embassy Confirms Controlled Explosion at Diplomatic Facility in Baghdad
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad stated a "controlled explosion" was conducted at 8:30 a.m. on July 19 at its Diplomatic Support Center, following standard safety protocols for handling hazardous materials. Iraqi authorities were notified in advance.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The United States Embassy in Baghdad issued a statement on Saturday clarifying the nature of an explosion heard earlier in the day within one of its facilities in the Iraqi capital, describing the incident as a “controlled explosion.”
In a post published on the embassy’s official account on X, the diplomatic mission stated: “The Iraqi authorities were notified of a controlled explosion on Saturday, July 19, around 08:30 at the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center, a U.S. diplomatic facility.”
The Iraqi authorities were notified of a controlled explosion on Saturday, July 19, around 08:30 at the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center, a U.S. diplomatic facility.
— U.S. Embassy Baghdad (@USEmbBaghdad) July 19, 2025
The clarification followed reports of a blast heard in the Green Zone, where the U.S. embassy and numerous Iraqi government institutions are located. The incident prompted widespread questions regarding the nature and cause of the explosion.
Part of Standard Safety Measures
The Green Zone, which houses high-level diplomatic and governmental sites, is known for its stringent security protocols. Controlled explosions are routinely conducted within the zone to dispose of expired or unsafe explosive materials and outdated security equipment.
These procedures are part of standard preventative measures adopted by international missions to safeguard their facilities and personnel.
