Eight rockets fired at US Embassy in Baghdad by 'outlawed group' sparks fears of unrest as anniversary of Iranian general Soleimani's killing draws near

Eight rockets targeted the US Embassy in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone late Sunday, Iraq's military and Iraqi officials said, sparking fears of renewed unrest as next month's anniversary of the US slaying of an Iranian general draws near.

An Iraqi military statement said an 'an outlawed group' launched eight rockets targeting the Green Zone, injuring one Iraqi security person manning a checkpoint and causing material damage to a residential complex and some cars. The residential complex is usually empty.

The US Embassy's C-RAM defense system, which is used to destroy missiles in mid-air, was activated to deflect the attack, the embassy said in a statement.

'The US Embassy confirms rockets targeting the International Zone (Green Zone) resulted in the engagement of embassy defensive systems,' the statement said. It said there was some minor damage to the embassy compound.

'We call on all Iraqi political and governmental leaders to take steps to prevent such attacks and hold accountable those responsible,' the statement said.

The thundering sound of the defense system could be heard by Associated Press reporters located on the other side of the Tigris River.

A barrage of rockets targeted the US Embassy in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone on Sunday, Iraq's military and Iraqi officials said, sparking fears of renewed unrest as next month's anniversary of the US slaying of an Iranian general draws near

The C-RAM system was installed by the US over the summer as armed groups stepped up rocket attacks targeting the embassy and its premises.

The US withdrew some staff from its embassy in Baghdad earlier this month, temporarily reducing personnel ahead of the first anniversary of the Washington-directed killing of Iranian General Qassim Soleimani outside Baghdad's airport on January 3. 

US officials said the decision stemmed from concerns about a possible retaliatory strike.

The US killed top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike almost one year ago

Soleimani's killing sparked outrage and led Iraq's parliament to pass a non-binding resolution days later calling for the expulsion of all foreign troops from Iraq.

The frequency of rocket attacks have frustrated the Trump administration. Iran-backed militia groups have been blamed for orchestrating the attacks.

In September, Washington warned Iraq that it will close its embassy in Baghdad if the government fails to take decisive action to end rocket and other attacks by Iranian-backed militias on American and allied interests in the country.

The partial withdrawal from the embassy came amid a drawdown of American troops from Iraq and Afghanistan announced by the outgoing Trump administration last month. 

In Iraq, the US plans to reduce the number of troops from 3,000 to 2,500 by mid-January, before Trump is to leave office. 

Soldiers prepare defensive position on the roof of the US embassy in Baghdad last December