The United States Embassy in Baghdad came under a drone and rocket attack early Wednesday, triggering a fire after air defense systems failed to intercept all incoming projectiles.The strike occurred on March 18, 2026, with suspicion falling on Iran-backed armed groups operating in Iraq.
According to Reuters, a series of loud explosions were heard as drones and rockets targeted the embassy compound. Iraq’s security authorities confirmed that some of the projectiles managed to reach the ground despite attempts to intercept them.
The air defense system known as C-RAM was unable to stop all the incoming threats, resulting in parts of the embassy complex catching fire. Thick black smoke was seen rising from the compound, located in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, the center of Iraq’s government institutions and foreign diplomatic missions.
The attack coincided with another attempted strike involving three drones targeting a separate US facility near Baghdad International Airport. In that incident, air defenses successfully intercepted the drones before impact.
This latest assault follows a similar attack on March 17, when five drones and multiple rockets were launched at the embassy. Air defenses intercepted only two drones, while others struck the compound, also causing fire damage.
So far, there are no confirmed reports of casualties or the extent of material damage. However, the repeated attacks have raised serious concerns about security within the Green Zone, with indications that air defense systems may be struggling to cope or could be targeted ahead of such assaults.
Since the escalation of conflict involving Iran on February 28, Iran-backed militias in Iraq have intensified attacks on US interests in the country. Groups such as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq and Kataib Hezbollah have claimed responsibility for previous operations, vowing retaliation against US actions in the region.
The incident underscores growing instability in Iraq as regional tensions continue to spill across borders, raising fears of further escalation targeting foreign missions and military installations.
