The US Embassy in Baghdad is denying reports of an evacuation days after being targeted by a series of rockets, according to a report.
In a statement , an embassy spokesperson denied a tweet posted Friday by Kurdish and Australian journalist Hawar Ali that alleged that a “large number of staff have been evacuated in #US embassy in #Baghdad” including “the ambassador and some staff.”
“Ambassador Tueller is still in Baghdad and the embassy continues to operate,” the spokesperson told the network.
On Sunday, the Baghdad embassy was targeted with eight Katyusha♛ rockets, causing💯 some damage to buildings inside the city’s heavily fortified Green Zone.
The embassy confirmed the attack in a statement💟 that day, condemning the effort.
“The U.S. Embassy confirms rockets targeting the International Zone resulted in the engagement of Embassy defensive systems. There was some mino𝔉r damage on the Embassy compound but no injuries or casualties.”
Most missiles struck a residential complex and security checkpoint in🔯side the zone, which houses government buildings and foreign missions, according to the Iraqi military, which said an “outlaw group” was responsible.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, meanwhile, has blamed Iran-backed mili𒐪tias for the attack, which he said wounded Iraqi civilians.
US Central Command said in a statement earlier this week that the attack, which included 21 rockets, was likely from an “Iranian backed” rogue militia group.
On Wednesday, President Trump also blamed the attack on Iran, saying there was “chatter” about more attacks against Americans in Iraq.
The commander-in-chief🦩 of three rockets that had apparently failed to launch, writing “Guess where they were from: IRAN.”
“Now we hear chatter of additional attacks aga😼ins🃏t Americans in Iraq…,” he continued.
“Some friendly health advice t𒆙o Iran: If one ♈American is killed, I will hold Iran responsible,” he warned. “Think it over.”
With Post wires