Missile Strikes U.S. Embassy Helipad in Baghdad

On Saturday, Iraqi security officials confirmed that a missile hit the helipad inside the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad.

Footage captured by the Associated Press showed columns of smoke rising above the embassy complex, which is one of the largest U.S. diplomatic facilities in the world. Following the incident, the U.S.

Embassy in Baghdad did not issue an official statement regarding the attack. However, it has previously been a target of rocket and drone launches by militias believed to be aligned with Iran.

In response to the increased threat, the U.S. Embassy renewed its level four security alert, warning American citizens of heightened security risks in Iraq.

This development comes shortly after a separate incident where four crew members were confirmed dead following the crash of a U.S. military refueling aircraft in western Iraq on March 12.