ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – A convoy transporting US-led Coalition military equipment was hit on Sunday by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Iraq's southern province of Dhi Qar. This is the first attack since Iraq’s leadership last week condemned the recent spate of bombings of US interests in the country. "A convoy that was transporting international coalition equipment via Iraqi transport companies and drivers triggered an explosive device (IED) in al-Batha district in Dhi Qar governorate," read a statement by the Iraqi Security Media Cell and published on state media. The explosion damaged one vehicle, but the convoy continued driving towards its destination. Rocket attacks on US positions and personnel in Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone and elsewhere in Iraq have become increasingly frequent following months of heightened tensions between the US and Iran. The US Embassy in Baghdad has beefed up its security and announced on Sunday it will be testing its emergency procedures and equipment over the next two days. “Communities in the areas surrounding the Embassy may hear alarms, sirens, and other noises as these drills are conducted,” it stated. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has reportedly threatened to close the embassy in Baghdad if Iraq cannot rein in the groups responsible. It is widely believed Iranian-backed Iraqi militias are behind the attacks. The Islamic Front for Resistance inside Iraq (al-Muqawama), a group whose aim is to force the withdrawal of US troops, has claimed responsibility for some of the attacks. Influential Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Friday urged an investigation into the matter, a day after he called on the paramilitary network of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, also known as Hashd al-Shaabi in Arabic) to prevent armed groups within its organization from firing rockets and carrying out assassinations. Iraq’s prime minister and parliament speaker issued statements backing Sadr’s call and the president of the Kurdistan Region said he supports Iraqi efforts to stop the attacks. Iran’s foreign minister has also said it is important for Iraq to protect diplomatic missions on its soil. European Union Ambassador to Iraq Martin Huth, in an interview with Rudaw on Thursday, said the rocket attacks are “reckless acts” for which there is “no justification.” American and international forces are in Iraq as part of the global Coalition to combat the Islamic State (ISIS). The terror group was declared militarily defeated in the country in 2017, but remains a threat, especially in regions disputed between Erbil and Baghdad. The Coalition this summer began handing bases over to Iraqi forces and the United States will withdraw some 2,200 from Iraq this month.
