The US embassy compound in Baghdad was attacked on Dec. 31, 2019, by crowds protesting the American airstrikes against bases of Kataib Hezbollah, a Shiite militia, in Syria and Iraq. The airstrikes were in retaliation after American troops were wounded and a contractor was killed in a rocket attack in Kirkuk on Dec. 27.
No diplomatic staff inside the embassy were injured, although the walls and reception area of the compound were damaged. The US was able to regain control by Jan. 1 after calling in Marine forces from Kuwait.
The attack further fueled tensions between the US and Iran, which is a primary backer of Kataib Hezbollah. The US military issued a strong warning that it would preemptively strike Iranian-backed militias if there was any indication that more attacks against American personnel were planned. Early on Friday, a powerful Iranian general was killed in a US airstrike near Baghdad's international airport.
Protesters and militia fighters enter the US embassy during a protest to condemn airstrikes on bases belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, paramilitary forces loyal to Iraq, in Baghdad, Dec. 31, 2019.
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Protesters damage property inside the US embassy compound, in Baghdad, Iraq, Dec 31, 2019.
A wounded member of the Popular Mobilization Forces gets help during a protest to condemn American airstrikes on their bases, outside the main gate of the US Embassy in Baghdad, Dec. 31, 2019.
US Marines assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command prepare to deploy to reinforce Baghdad's US embassy from a base in Kuwait, Dec. 31, 2019.
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US embassy security officials are seen as protesters and militia fighters gather to condemn airstrikes on bases belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces.
Marines keep watch at the US embassy in Baghdad, Jan. 1.
Iraqi Shiite militia supporters and protesters take part in the sit-in in front of the US embassy against deadly airstrikes on sites of a Shiite militia, Jan 1.
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Protesters burn property in front of the US embassy compound, in Baghdad, Dec. 31.
A protester puts a military shoe on a picture of US President Donald Trump during a demonstration against deadly US airstrikes on sites of a Shiite militia in Baghdad, Dec. 31, 2019.
Iraqi protesters break the bulletproof glass of the US embassy's windows in Baghdad as thousands of angry Iraqis, including members of the Popular Mobilization Forces, breached the outer wall.
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Protesters try to set fire to the outside fence of the US embassy in Baghdad, Dec. 31, 2019.
A US soldier is seen at a watchtower of the US embassy during a protest to condemn airstrikes.
An Iraqi Shiite militia supporter tries to disable the camera on the outer wall of the US embassy in Baghdad, Dec. 31, 2019.
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A wounded person is seen as outraged Iraqi protesters storm the US embassy in Baghdad, Dec. 31, 2019.
Outraged Iraqi protesters storm the US embassy in Baghdad, Dec. 31, 2019.
Outraged Iraqi protesters storm the US embassy in Baghdad.
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Iraqi supporters and members of the Popular Mobilization Forces pull off a plaque from the entrance of the US embassy.
Outraged Iraqi protesters pose for a photo with US embassy plaque.
A commander of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces, Jawad al-Talaibawi (center), takes a selfie at a gate of the US embassy in Baghdad.
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A handout picture received from the US embassy in Iraq, shows smoke billowing from a sentry box at an entrance of the embassy in the capital Baghdad, Dec. 31, 2019.
A protester inspects the entrance of the US embassy in Baghdad.
A member of Iraqi security forces stands guard during a protest to condemn the airstrikes.
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Contact Gabriel H. Sanchez at gabriel.sanchez@buzzfeed.com.
Contact Kate Bubacz at kate.bubacz@buzzfeed.com.
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