US urges Iraq to 'protect' its diplomats after rocket attack

Baghdad, Iraq (AFP) - The US embassy in Baghdad urged Iraq's government to protect its personnel, after rockets targeted the diplomatic mission in the city's high-security Green Zone on Friday.

"We again call on the government of Iraq... to protect diplomatic and coalition partner personnel and facilities," an embassy spokesperson said in a statement, after "two salvos of rockets" were fired at the mission without causing any reported casualties.

At least three rockets targeted the US embassy in Baghdad's Green Zone at dawn on Friday, landing on the outskirts of the district housing government and diplomatic buildings, an Iraqi security official said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

A US military official speaking on condition of anonymity told AFP that alarms had gone off and that "likely impact sounds" could be heard near the US embassy and Union III base, where troops from the international anti-jihadist coalition are stationed.

This is the first reported attack against the United States embassy in the Iraqi capital since the Israel-Hamas war began in early October, raising regional tensions and fears of a wider conflict.

Since mid-October there have been dozens of rocket or drone strikes by pro-Iran groups against American or coalition forces elsewhere in Iraq as well as in Syria.