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Attack on the United States embassy in Baghdad

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Attack on the United States Embassy in Baghdad (2019–2020)
Part of the 2019–2021 Persian Gulf crisis
[[File:{{{image_name}}}|240x240px|Iraqi PMF militiamen and their supporters burn a sentry box in front of the U.S. embassy, 31 December 2019[1]]]
Iraqi PMF militiamen and their supporters burn a sentry box in front of the U.S. embassy, 31 December 2019[1]
Date 31 December 2019 – 1 January 2020
Location Green Zone, Baghdad, Iraq
Coordinates 33°17′56″N 44°23′46″E / 33.299°N 44.396°E / 33.299; 44.396Coordinates: 33°17′56″N 44°23′46″E / 33.299°N 44.396°E / 33.299; 44.396
Type Protests, vandalism, and arson
Outcome See Aftermath


The 2019–20 attack on the U.S. embassy occurred in Baghdad, Iraq, on 31 December 2019. Kata'ib Hezbollah militiamen and their Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) supporters and sympathizers[2][3][4][5][6][7][8] attacked the U.S. embassy in the Green Zone in response to U.S. airstrikes on 29 December 2019 that targeted weapons depots and command and control installations of Kata'ib Hezbollah across Iraq and Syria.[9][10][11][12][13]

The attack occurred amidst the backdrop of the 2019–2021 Persian Gulf crisis, leading the United States to blame Iran and its non-state allies in Iraq for orchestrating the attack, which Iran denied. The U.S. responded by sending hundreds of additional troops to the Persian Gulf region, including approximately 100 U.S. Marines to reinforce security at the Baghdad embassy. No deaths or serious injuries occurred during the attack and protesters never breached the main compound.[14][15][16][17]

Background[]

Main articles: 2019 K-1 Airbase Attack and December 2019 United States airstrikes in Iraq and Syria
See also: 2019–20 Iraqi protests

On 27 December 2019, an Iraqi airbase in Kirkuk province was attacked with rockets, killing an American civilian contractor and injuring four U.S. service members and two Iraqi security forces personnel. The U.S. blamed the Iranian-backed Kata'ib Hezbollah militia, a subgroup of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), for the attack.[18][19]

On 29 December 2019, retaliatory U.S. airstrikes targeted five Kata'ib Hezbollah —and therefore PMF— weapon storage facilities and command and control locations in Iraq and Syria.[20][21] At least 25 militia members reportedly died[22] and at least 55 were wounded.[20] Iraq's Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi condemned the airstrikes while U.S. special envoy Brian Hook said the strikes were a message directed at Iran.[23]

Attack[]

Mob attack[]

On 31 December 2019, after a funeral was held for the Kata'ib Hezbollah militiamen that were killed by the prior U.S. airstrikes, an angry mob of dozens of Iraqi Shiite militiamen and their supporters marched through the perimeters of Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, marched down Kindi Street,[24] and surrounded an entrance to the U.S. embassy compound. According to the Associated Press, Iraqi security forces did not attempt to stop the mob and permitted them to pass a security checkpoint.[2]

U.S

Soldiers from the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division maintain overwatch of the embassy protests, FOB Union III, Green Zone, 31 December 2019

U.S. AH-64 Apache helicopters deploy flares over Baghdad in a show of force amid the embassy attack, 31 December 2019

The mob began taunting the security personnel of the embassy reception area's front gatehouse checkpoint near the embassy's parking lot and chanting "down, down USA", "Death to America" and "Death to Israel". They scaled and threw stones and water over the walls and attacked gates, windows, and doors with makeshift rams. Dozens of the demonstrators then smashed through a main door of the checkpoint, set fire to the reception area, raised PMF militia flags and anti-American posters and sprayed anti-American graffiti. Video of the demonstration reportedly also showed militiamen ransacking the reception area and taking away paperwork. Security staff withdrew to the embassy; there was no immediate comment from the Pentagon and the U.S. State Department on the situation. U.S. ambassador to Iraq Matt Tueller was not at the embassy at the time and was away on previously scheduled "personal travel".[25][26][27][28][29]

As the fire broke out, an AP reporter on the scene observed at least half a dozen U.S. Marine Security Guardsmen and Diplomatic Security Service personnel[citation needed] on the roof of the main embassy building with their guns trained on the intruders, many of whom were wearing militia uniforms; the intruders stopped in a corridor after about 5 meters (16 feet), and were about 200 meters away from the main embassy building. There were also reports of tear gas being deployed to disperse the intruders as at least three protesters appeared to have difficulties breathing. The mob subsequently set fire to three trailers used by security guards along the embassy compound's wall. Reportedly, a man on a loudspeaker urged the mob not to enter the compound, saying: "The message was delivered." Some commanders from Iranian-backed Iraqi militia factions began joining the protesters, including chief of the Badr Organization and PMF commander Hadi al-Amiri and leader of the Iranian-backed "Special Groups" paramilitary collective Qais Khazali. Iraq's interior minister Yassine al-Yasseri was also briefly at the scene, calling the situation "...embarrassing to the government." By early evening, the mob, which at one point numbered in several hundreds, had largely retreated and protesters had set up tents outside the embassy in an attempted sit-in. Kata'ib Hezbollah spokesman Jaafar al-Husseini claimed the protestors had no intention of storming the embassy and that the sit-in was to continue "until American troops leave Iraq and the embassy is closed."[2][3][26] Many of those who participated in the greater Iraqi protests condemned the prior U.S. airstrikes on PMF positions in Iraq, saying that "[d]emonstrations at [the] US embassy are a natural response to the US strikes over Hashd positions in Iraq", but also condemned the attack on the American embassy, saying, "we are staying here in the hub of the peaceful protest movement" and adding that the "crowds in the Green Zone do not represent us. We want peaceful change."[26]

On 31 December 2019, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo identified Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Qais Khazali, Falih Alfayyadh, and Hadi al-Amiri as leaders of the attack on the embassy.[30]

Security response[]

SPMAGTF-CR-CC arrive in Baghdad to reinforce the U.S. embassy, 31 December 2019

After the news of the U.S. embassy compound's breach, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper stated that reinforcements were en route to the compound and urged the Iraqi government to "fulfill its international responsibilities" and protect the facility.[27] About five hours after the violence first erupted, 30 Iraqi soldiers in seven armored vehicles arrived and deployed near the embassy walls but not near the burning, breached checkpoint. Reportedly, four vehicles carrying riot police later approached the embassy but were forced back by the protesters who blocked their path.[2] A detachment of approximately 100 U.S. Marines assigned to a crisis response unit in Kuwait, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC), along with two U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from Taji, Iraq were deployed to secure the embassy.[25] Mark Esper subsequently announced the immediate deployment of an infantry battalion of about 750 U.S. soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East. He did not specify their destination, but a U.S. official familiar with the decision said they were to deploy to Kuwait. Esper said additional soldiers from the 82nd Airborne's quick-deployment brigade, known officially as its Immediate Response Force, were prepared to deploy over the next several days. The 750 soldiers deploying immediately were in addition to 14,000 U.S. troops sent to the Persian Gulf region since May 2019 in response to concerns about Iranian aggression.[3]

On 1 January 2020, the protests flared up again as demonstrators started a fire on the roof of the reception area, reportedly prompting U.S. Marines to fire tear gas at the crowd, without any significant injuries to the protesters or guards.[31] Iraqi soldiers, federal police, and counterterrorism units lined up between the protesters and the compound. No further clashes occurred as Popular Mobilization Forces militia leaders called on demonstrators to take down the tents and withdraw. Militia supporters considered the attack on the embassy a victory against the U.S. and that their message had been sent, with one supporter proclaiming "We rubbed America's nose in the dirt."[27] The U.S. State Department said all American personnel were safe and that there were no plans to evacuate the embassy.[3][32]

Aftermath[]

Iraqi Soldiers US embassy 2020

Iraqi Police outside the smoldering outer perimeter of the U.S. embassy, 1 January 2020

U.S. president Donald Trump accused Iran of "orchestrating" the attack on the embassy and added that they would be held "fully responsible".[33] U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo named then-Popular Mobilization Forces deputy chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq leader Qais Khazali and PMF commander Hadi al-Amiri (both of which were present at the embassy attack), and PMF chairman Falih Alfayyadh as responsible for the attack; al-Amiri and Alfayyadh were reportedly guests to the White House during the Obama administration.[34] Iran's foreign ministry denied they were behind the protests at the U.S. embassy and warned against any retaliation.[35] Supreme leader of Iran Ali Khamenei tweeted "If Iran wants to fight a country, it will strike directly."[36][37] Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz held Iran responsible for the embassy attack, saying that Iran had made a "grave mistake" by attacking the embassy and called on the international community to confront what he called the "rebel regime" in Tehran.[38]

On 2 January 2020, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said "the game has changed" and stated that the U.S. would preemptively strike Iranian-backed paramilitary groups in Iraq if there were indications they were preparing to attack U.S. forces, while also urging the Iraqi government to resist Iranian influence. U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley emphasized that any group that attempted to overrun the Baghdad embassy will "run into a buzzsaw".[39]

Hours after Esper's announcement, in the early morning hours of 3 January 2020, the commander of Iran's Quds Force, Major General Qasem Soleimani, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed in a U.S. drone strike while traveling in a convoy near Baghdad International Airport.[40][41][42][43][44][45] The U.S. attack was formally announced by the United States Department of Defense in a press release.[46] Iran retaliated by attacking U.S. bases in Iraq, primarily Al Asad Airbase, with tens of ballistic missiles; no American lives were lost in the attack but 110 US soldiers were wounded and at least 5 structures were destroyed.

On 26 January 2020, three more rockets were fired on the U.S. embassy wounding at least one staff member present in the cafeteria at dinner time, with the nationality of the wounded still undisclosed, other sources reported 3 wounded.[47]

In the fall of 2020, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo repeatedly threatened to close the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad if Iraqi leaders did not prevent further attacks on the embassy.[48]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ↑ Steinbuch, Yaron (31 December 2019). "Iraqi protesters storm US Embassy in Baghdad". https://nypost.com/2019/12/31/hundreds-of-iraqis-attempt-to-storm-us-embassy-in-baghdad/. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Iraqi supporters of Iran-backed militia attack U.S. embassy". Politico. 31 December 2019. https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/31/us-embassy-attack-iraq-091585. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Abdul-Zahra, Qassim (31 December 2019). "Protesters attack US Embassy in Baghdad after airstrikes". Associated Press. https://apnews.com/75228a8a607a44863b57021ac33264dc. 
  4. ↑ "Iraqi Shiite militia supporters attack US embassy compound in Baghdad" (in en). France 24. 31 December 2019. https://www.france24.com/en/20191231-iraqi-shiite-militia-supporters-attack-us-embassy-compound-in-baghdad. 
  5. ↑ Frantzman, Seth J. (1 January 2020). "President Trump blames Iran as protests erupt outside US Embassy in Iraq". The Jerusalem Post. https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Pro-Iranian-protesters-target-US-embassy-in-Iraq-ambassador-evacuated-612650. 
  6. ↑ Franck, Thomas (31 December 2019). "Trump says Iran will be held 'fully responsible' for attack on the US embassy in Iraq" (in en). CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/31/trump-says-iran-will-be-held-fully-responsible-for-attack-on-the-us-embassy-in-iraq.html. 
  7. ↑ "Pro-Iran protesters storm US embassy over deadly Iraq strikes" (in en). Agence France-Presse. https://www.afp.com/en/news/15/pro-iran-protesters-storm-us-embassy-over-deadly-iraq-strikes-doc-1nd5hd15. 
  8. ↑ McKenzie, Sheena (31 December 2019). "Iraq protesters attack US Embassy in Baghdad" (in en). https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/iraq-us-embassy-protest-baghdad-live-updates-intl/index.html. 
  9. ↑ "Iraqi Protesters Attack US Embassy Compound in Baghdad" (in en). Voice of America. 31 December 2019. https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/iraqi-protesters-attack-us-embassy-compound-baghdad. 
  10. ↑ Finnegan, Conor; Davies, Guy; McLaughlin, Elizabeth; Nathanson, Marc (31 December 2019). "Marines sent to bolster security after Iraqi protesters assault US embassy, torch guardhouse to protest airstrikes" (in en). ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/International/iraqi-mourners-march-us-embassy-protest-airstrikes/story?id=67996679. 
  11. ↑ "US strikes on Iran-backed Iraqi militia may escalate". 30 December 2019. Digital object identifier:10.1108/oxan-es249684. ISSN 2633-304X. 
  12. ↑ Gordon, Michael R.; Coles, Isabel; Adnan, Ghassan (31 December 2019). "Trump Vows Retaliation After Iran-Backed Militia Supporters Try to Storm U.S. Embassy in Baghdad" (in en-US). The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/protesters-attempt-to-storm-u-s-embassy-in-baghdad-11577787978. 
  13. ↑ Steinbuch, Yaron (31 December 2019). "Iraqi protesters storm US Embassy in Baghdad, shouting 'Death to America'" (in en). New York Post. https://nypost.com/2019/12/31/hundreds-of-iraqis-attempt-to-storm-us-embassy-in-baghdad/. 
  14. ↑ Hassan, Falih (January 2020). "Pro-Iranian Protesters End Siege of U.S. Embassy in Baghdad". https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/01/world/middleeast/us-embassy-baghdad-iraq.html. 
  15. ↑ Hassan, Falih. "Protesters Attack U.S. Embassy in Iraq, Chanting 'Death to America'". https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/31/world/middleeast/baghdad-protesters-us-embassy.html. 
  16. ↑ "Militiamen breach US Embassy in Baghdad; Trump blames Iran". 31 December 2019. https://apnews.com/75228a8a607a44863b57021ac33264dc. 
  17. ↑ Bacon, John (31 December 2019). "Protesters smash into US Embassy compound in Baghdad following deadly US airstrikes". https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2019/12/31/us-embassy-attacked-iraqi-militia-supporters-break-into-compound/2781811001/. 
  18. ↑ "Trump aides call U.S. strikes on Iraq and Syria 'successful,' warn of potential further action". Reuters. 29 December 2019. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-usa/trump-aides-call-u-s-strikes-on-iraq-and-syria-successful-warn-of-potential-further-action-idUSKBN1YX0GR. 
  19. ↑ Lemon, Jason. "U.S. TROOPS UNLIKELY TO BE FORCED OUT OF IRAQ DESPITE CALLS FOR THEIR EXPULSION, ANALYSTS SAY". https://www.newsweek.com/us-troops-unlikely-forced-out-iraq-analysts-say-1480459. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "US strikes 5 facilities in Iraq and Syria linked to Iranian-backed militia". CNN. 29 December 2019. https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/29/politics/us-strikes-iran-backed-militia-facilities-in-iraq-syria/index.html. 
  21. ↑ "U.S. Launches Airstrikes on Iranian-Backed Forces in Iraq and Syria". The New York Times. 29 December 2019. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/29/world/middleeast/us-airstrikes-iran-iraq-syria.html. 
  22. ↑ "Kata'ib Hezbollah: Iraq condemns US attacks on Iran-backed militia". BBC. 30 December 2019. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50951742. 
  23. ↑ "Iraq Condemns US Air Strikes as Unacceptable and Dangerous". https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2058931/iraq-condemns-us-air-strikes-unacceptable-and-dangerous. 
  24. ↑ "Photos reveal extensive damage to US Embassy in Baghdad as American soldiers rush to region". USA Today. 2 January 2020. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2020/01/02/us-embassy-baghdad-attack-damage-fort-bragg-deployment/2793781001/. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "100 U.S. Marines, two Apache helicopters reinforcing embassy in Baghdad after attack". https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2019/12/31/100-us-marines-2-apache-helicopters-reinforcing-embassy-in-baghdad-iraq-after-attack/. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 "Protesters at US embassy in Baghdad gear up for sit-in". https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/protesters-embassy-baghdad-gear-sit-191231130210231.html. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 "Iraqi Protesters End U.S. Embassy Siege but Tensions Remain High. Here's a Full Timeline". Time. 1 January 2019. https://time.com/5757228/us-embassy-stormed-iraq-baghdad/. 
  28. ↑ Hassan, Falih; Hubbard, Ben (31 December 2019). "Protesters Attack U.S. Embassy in Iraq, Chanting 'Death to America'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/31/world/middleeast/baghdad-protesters-us-embassy.html. 
  29. ↑ "العراق.. هجوم عملاء النظام الإيراني على السفارة الأمريكية في بغداد وترامب يحذر". https://arabic.mojahedin.org/id/f2e93c76-040d-458d-8f28-b2c556da102f. 
  30. ↑ "US embassy siege leader was guest at White House during Obama presidency". Al Arabiya English. 2020-01-03. http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2020/01/03/US-embassy-siege-leader-was-guest-at-White-House-during-Obama-presidency.html. 
  31. ↑ "Militiamen withdraw from US Embassy but Iraq tensions linger". https://apnews.com/711ba27d6c4043ce4070eef102c17e53. 
  32. ↑ "Rock-throwing Iraqi militias quit U.S. Embassy after protests". 1 January 2020. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-usa-idUSKBN1Z01N9. 
  33. ↑ "U.S. has no plan to evacuate embassy in Baghdad, more forces being sent to compound". 31 December 2019. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-usa-trump/u-s-to-send-marines-to-embassy-in-iraq-as-trump-blames-iran-for-attack-idUSKBN1YZ0TD. 
  34. ↑ "US embassy siege leader was guest at White House during Obama presidency". Al Arabiya English. 2020-01-03. http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2020/01/03/US-embassy-siege-leader-was-guest-at-White-House-during-Obama-presidency.html. 
  35. ↑ "Iran Denies Role in U.S. Embassy Violence, Warns Against Retaliation". Reuters via The New York Times. 31 December 2019. https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2019/12/31/world/middleeast/31reuters-iraq-security-usa-iran.html. 
  36. ↑ Ali Khamenei [Khamenei_fa] (1 January 2020). "میبینید سراسر عراق هیجان ضدآمریکایی چقدر است؟ باز آن جناب توییت کرده که مااین را از چشم ایران می‌بینیم. شما غلط میکنید! ایران اگربخواهدباکشوری مبارزه کندصریح این کاررا میکند.ما به منافع و عزت ملتمان پایبندیم وهرکس آن را تهدید کند بدون هیچ ملاحظه‌ای بااو روبرو میشویم وضربه میزنیم" (in fa). https://twitter.com/Khamenei_fa/status/1212299106321870848. 
  37. ↑ Donald Trump [realDonaldTrump] (31 December 2019). "....Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat. Happy New Year!". https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1212121026072592384. 
  38. ↑ "FM Katz: Iran made 'grave mistake' with attack on US embassy in Baghdad". The Times of Israel. https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/fm-katz-iran-made-grave-mistake-with-attack-on-us-embassy-in-baghdad/. 
  39. ↑ "After Embassy Attack, U.S. Is Prepared to Pre-emptively Strike Militias in Iraq". The New York Times. 2 January 2020. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/02/world/middleeast/iraq-embassy-attack.html. 
  40. ↑ Taub, Amanda (2020-01-04). "Did the Killing of Qassim Suleimani Deter Iranian Attacks, or Encourage Them?". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/04/world/middleeast/qassim-suleimani-deter-iran.html. 
  41. ↑ Anderson, Finbar; Oliphant, Roland (2020-01-05). "Huge crowds mourn Qassim Soleimani as Iraq votes to expel US forces over assassination". The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/01/05/millions-iranians-turn-mourn-qassem-soleimani-iraq-votes-expel/. 
  42. ↑ Olsen, Henry (2020-01-03). "The Soleimani assassination could have dangerous ripples around the world". https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/01/03/soleimani-assassination-could-have-dangerous-ripples-around-world/. 
  43. ↑ "Who was Qassem Soleimani, the Iranian general killed in a U.S. strike?". CBS News. 2020-01-03. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/qassem-soleimani-iran-general-quds-force-commander-killed-us-airstrike-2020-01-03/. 
  44. ↑ "Trump Orders Strike Killing Top Iranian General Qassim Suleimani in Baghdad". The New York Times. 3 January 2020. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/02/world/middleeast/qassem-soleimani-iraq-iran-attack.html. 
  45. ↑ "Iran's Powerful Quds Force Chief Killed In U.S. Air Strike In Iraq". Radio Liberty. 3 January 2020. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-iraq-militia-attack-pmu-shaabi-baghdad/30358151.html. 
  46. ↑ "Statement by the Department of Defense". United States Department of Defense. 2 January 2020. https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2049534/statement-by-the-department-of-defense/. 
  47. ↑ "US embassy in Iraq hit by rocket attack, wounding at least one". The Guardian. 27 January 2020. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/27/us-embassy-iraq-rocket-attack-injuries. 
  48. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/elanagross/2020/09/29/pompeo-reportedly-threatens-to-close-us-embassy-in-iraq-citing-attacks/?sh=230d674d5e13

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