On March 18, 2026, drone attacks occurred near the U.S. embassy in Baghdad's Green Zone. Fires broke out following the attacks. Sources indicate the drone swarm is believed to have been launched by groups aligned with Iran. Al Jazeera's Assed Baig witnessed the incident. The attacks represent a security concern in the heavily fortified area of Baghdad.
On Monday, a drone strike ignited a fire at Baghdad's al-Rasheed Hotel, a luxury establishment within the Green Zone often used by foreign diplomats. Shortly before the drone attack, air defenses intercepted a rocket attack targeting the US embassy, also located in the Green Zone. These incidents occurred shortly after Kataeb Hezbollah, a Tehran-backed group, announced the death of its senior security commander. While the interior ministry confirmed the drone strike on the hotel roof, it reported no casualties or significant damage. Security forces cordoned off the area around the hotel, which also houses some diplomatic missions, as firefighters responded to the scene.
On Monday, March 16, 2026, Baghdad's Green Zone was the site of multiple attacks, including a drone strike on the Al-Rasheed Hotel, which caused damage but no casualties. Iraqi air defenses reportedly intercepted rockets near the US Embassy. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which occurred amid the escalating Israel-US war on Iran. Earlier that day, a security official with the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah was killed, and six PMF fighters were killed in a strike on a checkpoint in Anbar province. Separately, the Majnoon oilfield in Basra province was targeted by drones, with no reported casualties or immediate confirmation of damage.
On March 17, 2026, diners in Baghdad witnessed an attempted drone interception near the US embassy. A C-RAM air defense system engaged at least one drone targeting the embassy compound. Reports indicate that two drones were intercepted overnight. However, a third drone reportedly struck within the US embassy compound. The reason for the drone attack was not specified in the report.
Baghdad was struck by a series of explosions near the U.S. embassy in the Green Zone on Tuesday night. Drones targeted the area, with some reportedly intercepted and others disappearing from radar. Explosions and debris caused damage across the city, including at a university and near the Central Bank. The attacks are part of escalating violence between U.S. forces and Iraqi groups aligned with Iran. The violence follows an air raid that killed four people at a Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) headquarters, which allegedly hosted Iranian advisors. The PMF is a group of mostly Shia paramilitary factions integrated into Iraq’s state security forces.
On Tuesday evening, the US embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, was reportedly targeted in a drone and rocket attack, according to a security official. Loud explosions were heard throughout the city, and witnesses reported seeing the embassy's air defenses intercepting projectiles. A fire was also observed on the edge of the embassy grounds, allegedly caused by a drone strike. Shortly after the attack, Kataeb Hezbollah, a powerful Iran-backed armed group in Iraq, demanded the departure of all foreign soldiers from the country, blaming the American presence for Iraq's instability. The group stated that security would not be achieved until all foreign soldiers leave Iraqi territory.
Drone attacks hit near US embassy in Baghdad.
Fires have broken out in Baghdad’s Green Zone.
Al Jazeera’s Assed Baig witnessed the attacks.
Diners at a restaurant in Baghdad witnessed a C-RAM air defence system attempting to intercept a drone.
The drone targeted the US embassy.
On March 14, 2026, the US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq was struck by a missile, marking the second attack on the embassy since the start of the war. The missile hit a helipad within the embassy compound, located in Baghdad's Green Zone, causing damage and smoke to rise from the building. An Iraqi security source reported that part of the embassy's air defense system was destroyed. While there was no immediate confirmation of casualties or the extent of the damage, Iran-aligned armed groups in Iraq have pledged to attack US facilities, seeking to avenge the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. These groups had also offered a reward for information leading to US diplomatic personnel, some of whom are reportedly taking shelter in civilian houses.
On March 14, 2026, social media videos showed smoke rising from the US embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, following a reported attack. According to Iraqi officials, a missile struck a helipad located at the embassy. The incident is reported in the context of ongoing US-Israel war on Iran. The extent of damage or any casualties resulting from the attack are not specified in the report. The reason for the attack is not stated in the report.
Strikes in Baghdad, Iraq on Saturday targeted the Iran-backed group Kataeb Hezbollah, killing two members, including a key figure. The first strike hit a house used by the group in the Arasat neighborhood at 2:15 am, also wounding two members. Two hours later, a separate air strike targeted a vehicle in eastern Baghdad, killing a member of the Hashed al-Shaabi. These are the first strikes in Baghdad to kill Iran-backed fighters since the start of the Middle East war on February 28. The reason for the strikes was not explicitly stated in the article.
US Embassy in Baghdad hit by missile attack causing smoke.
— Article
It is the second time the US Embassy has come under attack in Baghdad since the start of the war.
— Article
The strikes are the first in the heart of Baghdad to kill Iran-backed fighters since February 28.
— null
Explosions rocked Iraq’s capital Baghdad on Saturday.
— null
Two strikes targeted the Iran-backed group Kataeb Hezbollah, killing two members.
— null
US Embassy in Riyadh was hit by two drones and a “limited fire” broke out.
— Saudi Ministry of Defence
The strike caused “minor material damage” to the compound.
— Saudi Defence Ministry
The embassy building was empty at the time of the attack and there were no reports of casualties.
— Reuters
US response to the embassy attack and the killing of four American service members would soon be made clear.
— Donald Trump
Air defences had intercepted four drones targeting Riyadh’s diplomatic quarter.
— AFP news agency