A senior Iraqi security official revealed that a drone crashed near a group of US diplomats within Baghdad airport’s premises earlier this week. The diplomats were escorting American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who had recently been released after a kidnapping.
This incident clarifies a statement issued by the US State Department on Thursday, which announced that Iraq’s ambassador to Washington was summoned to express strong condemnation of attacks by pro-Iranian factions targeting US interests. The statement specifically referenced the April 8 ambush involving US diplomats in Baghdad.
Since the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East on February 28, the US embassy in Baghdad and a logistical and diplomatic hub inside the city’s airport have faced repeated rocket and drone attacks, most of which were intercepted. Pro-Iranian armed groups operating in Iraq have claimed responsibility for daily assaults on what they describe as “enemy bases” within the country and the broader region.
Notably, these groups announced on Wednesday a suspension of their operations following a temporary ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran. However, just hours later, the US embassy reported fresh drone attacks near its airport facility.
The Iraqi official detailed that on Wednesday, the diplomatic support center was targeted by three drones. One of these drones crashed approximately 50 meters from the diplomatic team escorting Kittleson. She had been freed on Tuesday by Kataeb Hezbollah, a powerful pro-Iranian militia, after being held captive for a week in Baghdad.
The drone attack caused a delay in Kittleson’s departure from Iraq, but she was able to leave a few hours later, the official added.
