ICBPS- The United States has blamed Iran-backed militia for the rocket attack Sunday on the heavily fortified Green Zone in Iraq’s capital.
Washington says it is ready to respond to the Iranian attack on Qassem Soleimani.
U.S. Central Command chief General Kenneth McKenzie has emphasized that American troops are ready to respond to the Iranian attack on Qassem Soleimani.
The United States “strongly condemns the latest attack at Baghdad Green Zone by Iran-backed militias”, and the U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo stated “Iran-backed militias once again flagrantly and recklessly attacked in Baghdad, wounding Iraqi civilians. The people of Iraq deserve to have these attackers prosecuted. These violent and corrupt criminals must cease their destabilizing actions.”

Iran-backed militias once again flagrantly and recklessly attacked in Baghdad, wounding Iraqi civilians. The people of Iraq deserve to have these attackers prosecuted. These violent and corrupt criminals must cease their destabilizing actions.

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) December 21, 2020

The U.S. is reducing its troop levels in Iraq.

The Iraqi military declared an “outlawed group” fired at least eight rockets, injuring one Iraqi soldier, and damaging some [residential] buildings and cars.
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad said none of its personnel were hurt, and that there was some minor damage to the compound as the embassy missile defense system was activated to deflect the terrorist attack.
The U.S. Embassy’s C-RAM defense system, which is used to destroy missiles in mid-air, was activated to deflect the attack, the embassy said in a statement.
“The U.S. Embassy confirms rockets targeting the International Zone (Green Zone) resulted in the engagement of embassy defensive systems,” according to the statement said.
“We call on all Iraqis to support their government’s efforts to reinforce Iraq’s sovereignty, to bring to justice those responsible for these reprehensible attacks and ensure that all the currently Iran-backed militias are under state control,” Mike Pompeo said in a statement late Sunday.
In response to multiple previous terrorist attacks, the U.S. has threatened to shut its embassy in Baghdad unless the Iraqi government acts to control Iran-backed militias.
Earlier, the Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz stressed Tel Aviv continues to put pressure on the Iranian regime and its proxies in the Middle East.
Iran-Back Proxies threaten nations in the region, attack the U.S. interests and say there would be “escalation” if Tehran’s demands are not met. Iran has been funding and arming militants abroad since soon after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iran’s regime interferes in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and other countries in the region to foment chaos and civil wars. Iran spends billions on proxy wars throughout the Mideast to gain its ambitions.