U.S. Military Says 'Ongoing Situation' in Iraq Amid Fourth Day of Attacks in A Row

A spokesperson for the U.S.-led coalition has acknowledged to Newsweek reports of what would be the fourth day of attacks on U.S. positions previously mounted by Iraqi militia forces.

"We are aware of these reports," the U.S.-led coalition told Newsweek. "As this is an ongoing situation, we have no further details at this time."

The statement came as outlets supportive of militias aligned with the pro-Iran "Axis of Resistance" circulated footage showing defensive systems at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad responding to unseen aerial threats.

The Sabreen News outlet claimed the attackers took a dual approach, launching Katyusha rockets from both the Al-Rusafa area and from the vicinity of Al-Kindi Hospital, though this could be not be independently verified.

If confirmed, the attack would signal yet another sign that Iraqi militias were willing to escalate their campaign to drive out U.S. forces from the country.

Iraqi Defense Ministry spokesperson Major General Yahya Rasool had earlier condemned such strikes in the wake of previous operations against Ain al-Asad Air Base in Al-Anbar Province, which injured two personnel of yet undisclosed affiliation, and Erbil Air Base in the capital of the northern Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

Referring to these operations as "terrorist" attacks, Rasool said that "once again, the enemies of Iraq are intrusive and targeting the country's security, sovereignty and the safety of our citizens."

He also referred to earlier attacks on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad as illegal.

Rasool said the perpetrators were "targeting the headquarters of diplomatic missions that fall under the protection of the state, which represents a flagrant violation of all laws, and an attack on the prestige of the state and its international obligations."

Rasool has also previously condemned the U.S. for conducting airstrikes on both sides of the Iraqi-Syrian border last month in response to an earlier targeting of U.S. positions. The Pentagon said it targeted facilities "utilized by Iran-backed militias that are engaged in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks against U.S. personnel and facilities in Iraq."

But Baghdad officials, including Rasool and Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi viewed the U.S. operation as a violation of Iraq's sovereignty and warned Iraq should not be used in attacks on neighboring countries, or as a battlefield for competing geopolitical interests.

Rasool channeled this criticism against those launching rocket and drone attacks against U.S. positions.

"The government affirms its refusal to use Iraqi lands and the security of its citizens as an arena for proxy war," he said prior to the most recent incident at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. "This requires restraint and respect for the outcomes of the strategic dialogue."

This is a developing story and will be updated with more information as it becomes available.