Explosions shook the high-security zone around the U.S. embassy in Baghdad after drones hit facilities used by the American mission, according to Iraqi security forces. The blasts sent diplomats and contractors into shelter and triggered a rapid security clampdown across the Green Zone. U.S. and Iraqi officials said there were no immediate reports of casualties as teams swept the compound and nearby logistics hubs.
Drone hits key Baghdad support center, alert shows
An internal State Department alert said the strike hit the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center, a large logistics hub beside Baghdad International Airport, and ordered people on site to "duck and cover" while accountability checks were carried out. The alert lined up with accounts from Iraqi security forces that reported explosions near the embassy compound, as authorities moved to secure perimeter checkpoints and clear debris. Reporting from The Guardian summarized the State Department alert and the initial response on the ground.
What officials are saying
Iraq's prime minister condemned the strikes on government and diplomatic sites and ordered security forces to pursue those responsible, while the State Department said it was coordinating with Iraqi authorities to protect U.S. personnel and facilities. Baghdad has repeatedly stressed it does not want to be pulled into a wider regional war, even as the Green Zone saw heavier patrols and tighter access after the incident. Al Jazeera reported the government statements and the security moves in Baghdad.
Militias eyed in latest assault
Security sources have pointed to Iran-backed Iraqi militias as likely suspects, with one account saying an umbrella group known as the "Islamic Resistance in Iraq" has been linked to recent drone and rocket strikes on U.S. targets. Those factions have stepped up operations since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran in late February, turning parts of Iraq into an active front for proxy attacks. The sequence of claims and the pattern of strikes were reported in live coverage gathered by Reuters and picked up by international outlets.
Why this strike matters
Even a single drone getting through is significant because the Baghdad support center is a key logistics and medical hub for U.S. diplomatic operations; damage or repeat strikes would complicate consular assistance and evacuation planning for Americans in the region. U.S. officials have been moving nonessential staff from posts across the Gulf and have advised citizens to shelter in place or leave where it is safe to do so, steps that echo guidance issued since the wider regional campaign began. CBS New York published video of the explosions and early reactions from Baghdad's security forces.
What to watch next
Investigators from U.S. and Iraqi agencies said they are working to identify launch sites and any group that claims responsibility. How quickly those leads develop will shape potential diplomatic or military responses. With attacks on diplomatic and military locations continuing after strikes in Iran, analysts warn any misstep could broaden the conflict, which makes the coming days critical for both Baghdad's posture and U.S. contingency planning. For continuing coverage and context, see reporting from Al Jazeera.
