Rockets fall in Green Zone

Middle East: Attack in Iraq during US talks

Four rockets have exploded inside Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone near the US embassy, Iraq’s military said.

It is the third such attack since the US embarked on strategic talks with Iraq’s new government.

It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attack, which caused no casualties or damage, but the US has blamed Iranbacked militia groups for a recent quick succession of rocket attacks targeting the American presence in Iraq.

The attacks are proving to be a key challenge for the administration of Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, whose government has promised to take action against militias who attack the US.

In a tweet following the attack, Mr al-Kadhimi said it aimed to “undermine our stability and future” and was “unacceptable”.

“I will not tolerate rogue groups hijacking our homeland to create chaos and find excuses to maintain their narrow interests,” he said.

The first session of the much-anticipated talks between the US and Iraq began last week and laid the agenda for the months ahead, including the issues

“I will not tolerate rogue groups hijacking our homeland”

of the presence of US troops in the country, militia groups acting outside of state authority and Iraq’s dire economic crisis.

During the talks, Iraq committed to “moving ahead and undertaking their obligations” to protect the US presence against militia attacks, said US Assistant Secretary of State David Schenker.

But attacks have continued in an apparent defiance of that promise.

A military statement said four rockets struck the Green Zone, which houses government buildings and foreign embassies includingtheUS,justafter midnight yesterday.

The statement said there were no casualties or material damage.

Security forces later found a Katyusha rocketlaunching platform near

Al-Rashidcampsouthof the capital.

On Monday, three rockets landed after midnight in the vicinity of Baghdad airport, a military statement said.

T h e l a u n c h w a s from the al-Makaseb neighbourhood, a police investigation later found.

On Saturday, two rockets hit Camp Taji base, north of Baghdad, without causing casualties. The base is frequented by US troops.

RESPONSE: Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi promised to take action against militias who attack the US