The United States intercepts rockets fired at an embassy in Iraq

Baghdad – At least three rockets were intercepted after being launched against the area where the US embassy is in Baghdad on Sunday, authorities reported, arousing fears of new acts of violence as the anniversary of the assassination of an Iranian general.

The embassy’s missile defense system intercepted the rockets, said three Iraqi military sources who asked not to be identified. It was unclear if anyone was injured but sources indicated there was damage to some structures and parked vehicles.

The C-RAM anti-missile system was installed by the embassy in the summer of this year at a time when rocket attacks on the embassy and its premises were on the rise.

The United States withdrew parts of its staff at the embassy a few days ago as a temporary measure, shortly before the commemoration on January 3 of the anniversary of the assassination of Iranian General Qassim Soleimani, perpetrated by a northern rocket -American.

Soleimani’s assassination has sparked outrage in the region and shortly afterwards the Iraqi parliament passed a resolution calling for the expulsion of all foreign forces.

The persistence of rocket attacks has been a problem for the Donald Trump administration blaming pro-Iranian militias.

In September, Washington warned Iraq that it would close its embassy in Baghdad if the local government did not take steps to stop the attacks.