Drone downed near fortified Green Zone in Iraqi Capital: Reports
The Green Zone in the Iraqi capital is on high alert after Iraqi security forces shot down a drone.
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Iraqi demonstrators trying to enter the Green Zone (Anadolu Agency)
Iraqi security forces shot down a drone that was spotted near the Green Zone, a heavily guarded government compound in Baghdad's capital, according to media reports.
"The drone was downed in the immediate vicinity of the Green Zone in central Baghdad," a security source told the Iraqi satellite channel Alsumaria.
The US Embassy in the Green Zone raised the alarm. In addition to the UK Embassy, the Iraqi parliament, and the prime minister's residence, the security zone also houses the international airport and a military airfield.
This comes two months after a rocket attack targeted the Green Zone in the capital of Iraq, using two rockets that were intercepted and destroyed in the air.
On July 8, Al Mayadeen reporter mentioned that an explosion was heard in the center of Baghdad, followed by the blaring sounds of sirens after the C-RAM defense system in the US Embassy was activated.
The day earlier, on July 7, the US Embassy in Baghdad was targeted by a missile attack, and Al Mayadeen reporter said that a drone was shot down in the Embassy's airspace by the C-RAM defense system.
The US Embassy is located in the Green Zone; a heavily fortified area in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, which also houses government buildings and foreign diplomatic missions. However, that zone, mainly the US Embassy, is targeted by Katyusha rocket attacks every now and then.
