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State Dept. Confirms Mortar Attack Near U.S. Embassy in Iraq
Washington Free Beacon ^ | 9/6/18 | Adam Kredo

Posted on 09/06/2018 6:46:39 PM PDT by markomalley

The State Department confirmed to the Washington Free Beacon there was a mortar attack near the United States embassy in Iraq on Thursday.

A video captured a series of sixteen explosions which can be seen lighting up the night sky.

U.S. officials confirmed a series of explosions near the U.S. embassy in the Green Zone in Baghdad.

"We are closely ‎following reports of possible explosions outside of the Green Zone in Baghdad," a State Department official said on background.

The embassy has not been impacted and U.S. staff are taking appropriate safety precautions and prioritizing the safety of Americans on the ground.

"‎The security and safety of Americans are among our highest priorities," the official said. "Host nation security and U.S. embassy security officials will take appropriate measures to safeguard personnel and visitors.‎"

Sources say the attack came from Baghdad Area Zayoona which is well known for control of Asae'b Ahlil Al Haq, an Iraqi Shi'a paramilitary group backed by Iran. The group was active during the Iraqi insurgency and in the Syrian Civil War. The mortars used in the attack are identified as 120mm which are considered heavy mortars and could cause extensive damage.

Sources believe the Iranian-backed group is responsible for the attack.

Iranian-backed forces have long been operating in Iraq and have obtained U.S. arms. Iran continues to solidify its presence in Iraq, which it considers a key strategic location.


TOPICS: Breaking News; Foreign Affairs; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: almost; close; iraq; near; omg; reallyclose; shiites; usembassy

1 posted on 09/06/2018 6:46:39 PM PDT by markomalley
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To: markomalley

McCain strikes again!


2 posted on 09/06/2018 6:49:15 PM PDT by CivilWarBrewing (Get off my back for my usage of CAPS, especially you snowflake males! MAN UP!)
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To: markomalley

I bet Trump orders the guards and staff to load the magazines, chamber the rounds and take off the safeties. This won’t be like Tehran or Bengazhi.


3 posted on 09/06/2018 7:11:12 PM PDT by oldplayer
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To: All; nobody
SOS Mike Pompeo (and former CIA director) gave a speech about how the $160 billion Obama-mess gave Iran is funding terrorism in the Middle East. It is also being used to fund attacks on US Service personnel in Afghanistan as well as kill civilians in a number Middle East countries.

Link to Mike Pompeo's speech on Iran spreading terrorism in the Middle East (Using the $160 billion Obama gave Iran):

https://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2018/05/282301.htm

Hizballah is now armed to the teeth by Iran and has its sights set on Israel.

Thanks to Iran, Hizballah provides the ground forces for the military expedition in Syria. The IRGC, too, has continued to pump thousands of fighters into Syria to prop up the murderous Assad regime and help make that country 71,000 square miles of kill zone.

Iran perpetuates a conflict that has displaced more than 6 million Syrians inside the – 6 million Syrians and caused over 5 million to seek refuge outside of its borders.

These refugees include foreign fighters who have crossed into Europe and threatened terrorist attacks in those countries.

In Iraq, Iran sponsored Shia militia groups and terrorists to infiltrate and undermine the Iraqi Security Forces and jeopardize Iraq’s sovereignty – all of this during the JCPOA.

In Yemen, Iran’s support for the Houthi militia fuels a conflict that continues to starve the Yemeni people and hold them under the threat of terror.

The IRGC has also given Houthi missiles to attack civilian targets in Saudi Arabia and the Emirates and to threaten international shipping in the Red Sea.

And in Afghanistan, Iran’s support to the Taliban in the form of weapons and funding leads to further violence and hinders peace and stability for the Afghan people.

Today, the Iranian Qods Force conducts covert assassination operations in the heart of Europe.

We should remember, too, that during the JCPOA Iran continues to hold Americans hostage: Baquer Namazi, Siamak Namazi, Xiyue Wang, and Bob Levinson, who has been missing for over 11 years.

I will note for the American people, you should know we are working diligently to bring each American missing wrongfully detained in Iran home.

The list continues. Iran continues to be, during the JCPOA, the world’s largest sponsor of terror. It continues to serve as sanctuary for al-Qaida, as it has done since 9/11, and remains unwilling to bring to justice senior al-Qaida members residing in Tehran.

Today we ask the Iranian people: Is this what you want your country to be known for, for being a co-conspirator with Hizballah, Hamas, the Taliban, and al-Qaida? The United States believe you deserve better.

Obama-mess gave Iran $160 billion to spread terrorism in the Middle East and attack Israel and Saudi Arabia, as well as put American soldiers/sailors at risk.

4 posted on 09/06/2018 7:18:59 PM PDT by topher (America, please Do The Right Thing!)
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To: topher

A billion bucks for that building. Shouda voted for Buchanan.


5 posted on 09/06/2018 7:29:02 PM PDT by DIRTYSECRET (urope. Why do they put up with this.)
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To: topher

The MORTAR used in the attack could have been supplied by IRAN from US Tax Dollars Obama gave Iran... That is why I call him Obama-mess...


6 posted on 09/06/2018 9:54:15 PM PDT by topher (America, please Do The Right Thing!)
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To: markomalley

MSM: This is another Vietnam! Trump lied! Who died!


7 posted on 09/07/2018 3:47:38 AM PDT by Eleutheria5 (“If you are not prepared to use force to defend civilization, then be prepared to accept barbarism.)
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To: markomalley

Define “near” for me.


8 posted on 09/07/2018 5:18:40 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Elsie
 
 
 
 
A security source inside the Green Zone said the mortars landed near the Egyptian embassy.  http://www.arabnews.com/node/1368091/middle-east
The mortars landed on an “abandoned lot,” resulting in “no casualties or physical damage,” the statement said.
 
 
https://www.google.com/maps/search/Egyptian+embassy+baghdad/@33.3118521,44.3578113,14z/data=!3m1!4b1
 
 

9 posted on 09/07/2018 5:30:02 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Elsie

Really.......this was an hourly occurrence during my two deployments billeted in the GZ.


10 posted on 09/07/2018 3:07:04 PM PDT by LFOD (Formerly - Iraq, Afghanistan - back home in Dixie.)
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