The Digest:
A missile struck a helipad inside the United States embassy compound in Baghdad on Saturday, Iraqi security officials confirmed. Associated Press footage showed a column of smoke rising over the sprawling complex, one of the largest US diplomatic facilities in the world. The embassy has repeatedly been targeted by rockets and drones fired by Iran-aligned militias. Images circulating online also showed smoke and dust rising above the compound. There was no immediate comment from the US embassy in Baghdad. The strike comes a day after the embassy renewed its level four security alert for Iraq, warning that Iran and Iran-aligned militia groups have previously carried out attacks against US citizens, interests, and infrastructure and "may continue to target them." The incident follows Thursday's crash of a US KC-135 refuelling aircraft in western Iraq that killed four crew members.
Key Points
- Missile strikes helipad inside US embassy compound in Baghdad.
- Smoke and dust rise over facility; no immediate US comment.
- Embassy renewed level four security alert Friday.
- Iran-aligned militias have repeatedly targeted the facility.
- Follows Thursday's US aircraft crash in Iraq that killed four.
Sources: AP, Security Officials
