Daijiworld Media Network - Baghdad

Baghdad, Mar 14: The United States Embassy in Baghdad was struck by a drone early Saturday morning, according to an Iraqi security source, as tensions continue to escalate across the Middle East. No immediate information about casualties was available.

A booby-trapped drone reportedly hit the embassy compound located in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone at dawn. Smoke was seen rising from the site following the impact, an official from the Iraqi Interior Ministry told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The strike occurred roughly an hour after what was described as a US airstrike on a residential area in the Karrada neighbourhood.

According to the source, the attack killed a senior commander and two members of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) and left five civilians injured in nearby homes.

In a statement, the Iraqi Joint Operations Command through its Security Media Cell condemned the escalation, criticising strikes carried out in densely populated areas and calling them violations of human rights that should be treated internationally as crimes.

The incident follows a similar attack on March 7 when rockets targeted the US embassy in Baghdad, triggering the compound’s defence systems after explosions were heard in the area.

In recent days, dozens of PMF fighters have been killed in attacks the group attributes to joint US-Israeli operations.

The violence comes amid heightened regional tensions after military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran beginning February 28. Iran and allied groups across the region have since responded with attacks targeting US and Israeli interests in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said military operations against Iran were progressing successfully. Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Friday, Trump claimed American forces had delivered “very big hits” and suggested Iran’s capabilities had been significantly weakened.

He said the ongoing campaign was aimed at eliminating what he described as a nuclear threat posed by Iran.