What happens when a regional war spills into the heart of a capital city?
Early Tuesday morning, residents of Baghdad got a frightening glimpse.
Rockets and at least five drones were launched toward the United States Embassy in Baghdad.
Iraqi security officials described it as the most intense attack yet since the US–Israel war with Iran began.
Witnesses reported seeing multiple drones heading straight for the diplomatic compound.
Two were intercepted by the embassy’s C-RAM air defence system.
But one managed to crash inside the grounds, sparking fire and smoke that could be seen rising above the area.
Moments later, an explosion echoed across the Iraqi capital.
Who’s Behind It?
While no group immediately claimed responsibility.
Iranian-backed militias have repeatedly targeted US interests in Iraq since the war erupted on 28 February.
Tensions had already escalated a day earlier after the Iran-aligned militia Kataib Hezbollah announced the death of a senior commander.
Air strikes reportedly killed eight fighters from the Popular Mobilization Forces near the Syrian border.
In response, Iraqi forces quickly sealed off the heavily fortified Green Zone, home to key government buildings and foreign embassies.
For now, one question hangs over Baghdad: if attacks are intensifying this quickly, how much further could the conflict spread?
