“We have stated before that we will hold Iran responsible for the actions of its proxies that attack Americans,” said state department spokesperson Ned Price, at a press conference shortly after several rockets landed in and near Baghdad's Green Zone.
The Green Zone and sites hosting foreign personnel across Iraq have often been targeted by rocket attacks, mostly attributed to Iran-backed militias.
Monday’s attack comes exactly a week after multiple rockets were fired at the Kurdistan Region capital of Erbil. One civilian contractor was killed in the attack, and another died of their wounds on Monday."
"When it comes to the attack in Erbil, I would just add that we are still determining precise attribution," said the spokesperson of the Erbil attack.
One contractor was also injured in a rocket attack at Balad Air Base in Salahaddin on Saturday.
“What we will not do is lash out and risk an escalation that plays into the hands of Iran and contributes to their attempts to further destabilize Iraq,” said Price, not specifically attributing any of the attacks to Iran’s proxies.
In recent months, several seemingly newly established groups have claimed responsibility for rocket attacks on Western diplomatic and security installations.
A militant group by the name of Saraya Awlia al-Dam (Guardians of Blood Brigades) claimed responsibility for the Erbil attack.
US and Iraqi officials have told AFP they believe such factions to be “smokescreen” entities for more prominent pro-Iran groups including Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq.
“The Iraqi people have suffered for far too long from this kind of violence and this violation of their sovereignty,” added Price.
The Green Zone, which hosts many foreign embassies, was last attacked in late December, when multiple rockets landed near the US embassy.
