US embassy in Baghdad targeted; no casualties reported

By Amer al-Hassani

BAGHDAD (AA) - The U.S. embassy in Baghdad was targeted by artillery early Thursday, although no casualties were reported in relation to the incident, according to Iraqi police sources.

Shortly after midnight, two artillery shells crashed to earth near the embassy, which is located in Baghdad’s heavily-fortified Green Zone, Police Lieutenant Jamal al-Hassouni told Anadolu Agency.

No casualties or damage were reported as a result of the limited barrage, which prompted the authorities to briefly sound air-raid sirens.

Police have since launched an investigation into the incident, for which no group has claimed responsibility.

The attack came only hours after a surprise Christmas visit by U.S. President Donald Trump to the Ain al-Assad military airbase in Iraq's western Anbar province.

Trump reportedly spent three and a half hours at the airbase, but did not visit Baghdad.

A scheduled meeting between the U.S. president and Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi was cancelled, but the two leaders later reportedly spoke by phone.