[Rudaw] The United States has provided the Iraqi Army with 30 armored vehicles, the US embassy said on Wednesday, to "maintain the security" in Baghdad’s "international zone", more commonly known as the Green Zone.
"The United States is committed to helping the Iraqi army keep Iraq and Baghdad safe. To this end, the United States on Monday provided the Iraqi army with thirty armored vehicles to help secure the international zone," read the US embassy statement.
The vehicles were presented to the Special Command Division (SCD) at al-Asad Air Base in the western Iraqi province of Anbar, "and will be used by the Iraqi military in their patrols," the embassy said.
"This contribution is one part of a larger plan by the U.S. Military’s Office of Security Cooperation — Iraq to support the SCD in securing the heart of Baghdad".
The provision comes amid frequent rocket attacks targeting the Green Zone — home to the US embassy, other foreign diplomatic missions, and Iraqi government offices.
On December 20, eight rockets were fired at Baghdad’s Green Zone, injuring one Iraqi soldier and damaging the US embassy compound and civilian homes. No group has yet grabbed credit for the attack.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held Iran-backed militias responsible for "flagrantly and recklessly" targeting the US embassy, saying they must "cease their destabilizing actions."
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh condemned Pompeo’s remarks on Monday, saying that attacking diplomatic and residential premises is "unacceptable" and has always been rejected by Tehran.
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