It appears that a new sectarian civil war is beginning to erupt in Iraq during a sensitive government transition phase, and the United States and its local allied forces in the Baghdad government are targets.
According to early breaking reports tonight at least three mortars have struck near the US embassy’s gate in the protected ‘green zone’ at the heart of the Iraqi capital.
Though there’s currently no reports of injuries or significant damage, Western journalists on the ground say the embassy was specifically targeted by Iran-backed Shia militias.
Video #Mortar attack on #US #embassy in #Baghdad #Iraq our sources confirm by #Iran backed #Asaeb_Ahlil_Alhaq pic.twitter.com/DgSuNRS6UR
— انتفاض قنبر E Qanbar (@eqanbar) September 6, 2018
And elsewhere in Basra, to the south, there are reports that Iran’s consulate is under siege and further that more than a dozen local Shia militia HQ offices have been torched.
In Baghdad, regional sources indicate loud sirens are blaring at the American embassy in the aftermath of the attack.
Early reports: Point of Origin for mortar attacks on US Embassy is Ziyouna neighborhood in Baghdad – AAH controlled area. pic.twitter.com/tR0vWEYnXk
— Michael P Pregent (@MPPregent) September 6, 2018
Tonight’s targeted attack comes two days after ten pro-Iran Shia militias in the country published a statement vowing to expel foreign troops and advisers by force if they didn’t immediately leave Iraq.
“We will deal with them [foreign troops in Iraq] as occupying forces, and we will use our legitimate rights by employing all possible means to force them out of the country,” the Iraqi factions warned, adding that foreign troops were “in their sights”.
The Tuesday statement further declared there was an “Anglo-American-led dirty and dangerous conspiracy to impose a devilish coalition” on the people of Iraq which seeks to weaken the government and make it Baghdad a puppet Brett McGurk, who is the White House appointed special envoy for the anti-ISIL coalition.
What’s happening in #Iraq tonight :
-3 mortars have landed near the US embassy’s gate in green zone #Baghdad ,no major damage.
-Unconfirmed news about Iran’s consulate being under siege by the protesters in #Basra
-About 13 Shia forces’ HQs were set on fire in Basra
…— Nafiseh Kohnavard (@nafisehkBBC) September 6, 2018
Currently a tense tug-of-war is underway as the United States and Iran struggle to influence the formation of the next national government in Baghdad. Elsewhere in Iraq popular protests and riots are springing up in response to lack of basic services like electricity and clean water.
Over the past days Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi has further stirred tensions by sacking key government ministers — a move interpreted by many as sectarian driven.
Developing…
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