Baghdad [Iraq]/Washington [US], March 17 (ANI): The US Embassy and a hotel in Baghdad were targeted by drones early Tuesday, with video appearing to show air defenses engaging a projectile near the embassy, CNN reported.
The Majnoon oil field in southern Iraq also came under attack, a spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of Iraq’s armed forces said, according to the US broadcaster. Meanwhile, a report by Anadolu Agency cited an unnamed security source telling the Shafaq News Agency that four drones attempted to target the US Embassy in Baghdad.
The report added that Iraq’s air defenses managed to intercept and shoot down all drones before they reached their targets. The source said one drone fell on Abu Nuwas Street, while another landed near the embassy inside the Green Zone.
A new wave of rockets has struck an American diplomatic facility near Baghdad airport, according to Al Jazeera. Iraq’s Ministry of Interior confirmed that a drone fell on the Al-Rasheed Hotel early Tuesday local time, CNN reported.
“The ministry wishes to clarify that, after specialized forensic teams conducted an on-site and technical inspection, it was found that a drone had struck the upper fence of the hotel, without resulting in any loss of life or significant material damage,” Iraq’s Interior Ministry said in a statement.
Videos geolocated by CNN showed an explosion close to the vicinity of the US Embassy in Baghdad. Other footage showed a projectile consistent with a drone impacting the area near the embassy, while air defense systems engaged another projectile over Baghdad about 600 meters from the embassy compound.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates temporarily closed its airspace after two separate fires broke out at the Fujairah oil zone and the Shah gas field following drone strikes at both locations, CNN reported.
Tensions appear to be escalating further between the US-Israel alliance and Iran as both sides continue attacks. Earlier, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that several unmanned aerial vehicles were neutralized in the eastern part of the kingdom. Officials said the drones were “intercepted and destroyed” after being detected in the region.
This defensive action follows an earlier report from the ministry regarding a similar security operation in the same area. In that instance, Saudi forces engaged six drones, all of which were successfully destroyed to prevent any impact.
Amid these heightened tensions, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, held a telephone conversation with Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, to review regional developments, Gulf News reported.
During the call, the two leaders assessed the impact of escalating military actions, which they described as presenting “grave threats to regional and global security and stability.”
The discussion also addressed ongoing and “blatant Iranian attacks” directed at nations throughout the region. Both leaders noted that these actions constitute a violation of sovereign rights and contravene established international norms.
Earlier, a tanker was struck by an “unknown projectile” approximately 23 nautical miles east of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations.
The agency noted in a post on X that the vessel was at anchor when the incident occurred. While the strike caused minor structural damage, the vessel’s integrity remained stable.
There were no injuries reported among the crew, the maritime agency confirmed. Officials also stated that no environmental impact was detected in the surrounding waters.
The UKMTO said authorities are investigating the matter. In the meantime, vessels operating in the region have been advised to transit with caution and to report any suspicious activity.
This maritime incident coincides with further instability on land. A fire erupted within the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone following a drone strike at the facility, according to Al Jazeera, citing the local government’s media office. (ANI)
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