These Photos Show How Destructive The US Embassy Attack In Iraq Was

The attack, prompted by protests over American airstrikes, destroyed the reception area but caused no injuries. The siege ended on Jan. 1.

By
Gabriel H. Sanchez
by Gabriel H. Sanchez

BuzzFeed News Photo Essay Editor

and
Kate Bubacz
by Kate Bubacz

BuzzFeed News Photo Director

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.

Khalid Al Mousily / Reuters

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.

Khalid Mohammed / AP

Protesters damage property inside the US embassy compound, in Baghdad, Iraq, Dec 31, 2019.

Khalid Al Mousily / Reuters

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.

Reuters

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.

Wissm Al-okili / Reuters

US embassy security officials are seen as protesters and militia fighters gather to condemn airstrikes on bases belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces.

Reuters

Marines keep watch at the US embassy in Baghdad, Jan. 1.

Ameer Al Mohmmedaw / AP Images

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.

Khalid Mohammed / AP

Protesters burn property in front of the US embassy compound, in Baghdad, Dec. 31.

Ameer Al Mohmmedaw / Ameer Al Mohmmedaw/picture-alliance/dpa / AP Images

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.

Ahmad Al-rubaye / Getty Images

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.

Xinhua News Agency / Getty Images

Protesters try to set fire to the outside fence of the US embassy in Baghdad, Dec. 31, 2019.

Khalid Al Mousily / Reuters

A US soldier is seen at a watchtower of the US embassy during a protest to condemn airstrikes.

Picture Alliance / Getty Images

An Iraqi Shiite militia supporter tries to disable the camera on the outer wall of the US embassy in Baghdad, Dec. 31, 2019.

Anadolu Agency / Getty Images

A wounded person is seen as outraged Iraqi protesters storm the US embassy in Baghdad, Dec. 31, 2019.

Anadolu Agency / Getty Images

Outraged Iraqi protesters storm the US embassy in Baghdad, Dec. 31, 2019.

Anadolu Agency / Getty Images

Outraged Iraqi protesters storm the US embassy in Baghdad.

Ahmad Al-Rubaye / Getty Images

Iraqi supporters and members of the Popular Mobilization Forces pull off a plaque from the entrance of the US embassy.

Anadolu Agency / Getty Images

Outraged Iraqi protesters pose for a photo with US embassy plaque.

Ahmad Al-Rubaye / Getty Images

A commander of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces, Jawad al-Talaibawi (center), takes a selfie at a gate of the US embassy in Baghdad.

AFP via Getty

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.

Ahmad Al-rubaye / Getty Images

A protester inspects the entrance of the US embassy in Baghdad.

Khalid Al Mousily / Reuters

A member of Iraqi security forces stands guard during a protest to condemn the airstrikes.