Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned the attack that took place on Sunday targeting the Green Zone in Baghdad.

In a statement posted on its official Twitter handle, the Saudi foreign ministry said: “The Kingdom strongly condemns and denounces the terrorist act that targeted the Green Zone in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.”

“The Kingdom affirms its support for Iraq and stands by Iraq in the measures it takes to preserve its security and stability, and to maintain its sovereignty, and to protect the lives of the citizens and residents of its territory,” the statement added.

According to a statement issued by the Iraqi military, as many as eight rockets were fired toward the Green Zone, a heavily fortified area in Baghdad. At least one Iraqi soldier injured when a rocket landed near an Iraqi security checkpoint, the military said.

The Iraqi military also said that most of the rockets hit the Qadisiya residential neighborhood near the US Embassy, damaging several buildings and cars.

The US Embassy said minor damage was caused to the embassy compound but that there were no injuries or casualties.

A spokesman for the Iraqi president issued a statement saying "targeting the Green Zone is a terrorist act that endangers the security and lives of innocent citizens and their property.

"It represents a targeting of the country's sovereignty and national efforts to preserve the state's prestige," the statement said. "Targeting diplomatic missions undermines Iraq's international reputation and its foreign relations."

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iran-backed militias for the attack.

"The United States strongly condemns the latest attack by Iran-backed militias on the International Zone in Baghdad. While no Embassy personnel were harmed, the attack caused at least one Iraqi civilian casualty and damaged Iraqi civilian property," Pompeo said in a statement.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC and Arab states have also denounced the attack.

In a statement, Bahrain’s foreign Ministry affirmed the country’s solidarity of with Iraq in its efforts to combat terrorism and establish security.

“The ministry wishes the injured a speedy recovery and reiterates Bahrain’s firm stance in rejecting all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism regardless of their motives,” the statement said.

The foreign ministry of the United Arab Emirates also issued a statement condemning the attack.

“The UAE expresses its strong condemnation of these terrorist acts, and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism that aim to destabilize security and stability and contradict religious and humanitarian values ​​and principles, the statement from the UAE foreign ministry read.

Egypt also expressed its condemnation of the missile attack that targeted the Green Zone in Baghdad on Sunday, saying it "fully stands" with Iraq in its fight against terrorism.

"Egypt's condemns all terrorist acts that could destabilize Iraq and target the headquarters of diplomatic missions and civilian targets, calling on all parties to uphold the Iraqi national interest over any other considerations, in order to succeed the relentless efforts made by Iraq to protect its security and stability,” a statement from the Egyptian foreign ministry read.

Egypt fully stands with Iraq in any measures it takes to eliminate terrorism and its supporters and to safeguard its national security, the statement added.

Meanwhile, Jordan’s foreign ministry spokesman Daifallah Fayez reaffirmed that Jordan strongly condemns the terrorist attack and rejects any action aimed at destabilizing the security and disturbing the safety of Iraq.