On the evening of 28/4, Iraqi air defense forces detected an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) flying over the Green Zone in the capital Baghdad. Military sources, cited by AFP news agency, reported that air defense systems opened fire on the target. However, the drone was not shot down, marking a concerning failure of the highly protected area's defenses.

Shrapnel from the interception attempt injured one person. The type of drone and its operators remain unknown. AFP reporters in the area had earlier heard gunfire and small explosions, indicating the intensity of the incident.

The US embassy complex in Baghdad on 14/3. *Photo: AFP*

Security sources confirmed to Reuters news agency that Iraqi security forces fired at the drone. They suggested it could have been a reconnaissance vehicle. The drone successfully escaped, and there was no immediate information regarding material damage or additional casualties. US and Iraqi officials have not commented on the incident.

The Green Zone, an approximately 10 km2 area, is Baghdad's most secure district. It houses vital Iraqi government headquarters and numerous diplomatic facilities, prominently including the US embassy.

This incident is the first of its kind in Baghdad since a ceasefire between the US and Iran took effect on 8/4. Following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East, Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq have frequently targeted US infrastructure, including the embassy in Baghdad and other facilities across the country.

A previous attack on 14/3, aimed at the US embassy in Baghdad, completely destroyed a Giraffe 1X surveillance radar. This specialized system, designed to counter unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), is valued at over 2 million USD. In response, US forces subsequently installed a replacement radar and equipped it with anti-drone cages to enhance defensive capabilities. Washington also retaliated by striking positions and bases of Iraqi militia groups, killing dozens of fighters.

Pham Giang (According to AFP, Reuters)