On Thursday morning, Iraq's military command said the attack was "a serious security challenge" and pledged to open an investigation. President Barham Saleh and parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbussi condemned a "terrorist attack" which targeted "Iraq and its security." US diplomatic offices have come under attack as well as the bases where the 5,200 American troops stationed in Iraq are based. The previous attacks killed an Iraqi soldier and a US contractor, leading to a major uptick in tensions between Washington and Tehran. Days later, a US drone killed senior Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and Hashed deputy chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis near Baghdad airport prompting retaliatory Iranian air strikes against coalition troops in Iraq.

Source: Bangkok Post March 12, 2020 08:26 UTC