Baghdad's Green Zone, housing US troops, hit with 3 Katyusha rockets

Barely 24 hours after Iran fired ballistic missiles at American bases in Iraq, three Katyusha rockets fell, on Wednesday (January 8), inside Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone which houses government buildings and foreign missions, causing a fire, Reuters reported.

Sirens were sounding inside the Green Zone, and at least one of the rockets fell 100 metres away from the US embassy, sources told the news agency.

“Two Katyusha rockets fell inside the Green Zone without causing casualties. Details to follow,” the military said.

Two loud blasts followed by sirens had been heard in Baghdad, Reuters witnesses said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

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The Green Zone was also targeted by rockets on Sunday. Three Katyusha rockets fell within the area, wounding six people. Another two fell within the nearby Jadriya area, the Iraqi military said.

On Wednesday (January 7) Iran launched missiles at US forces in Iraq in retaliation for the killing of Iranian General Qassim Soleimani, thereby raising concerns about a wider war in the Middle East.

More details awaited.

(With input from agencies.)