Children Killed in Missile Attack in Baghdad

Five people, including three children, have been killed following a missile attack near Baghdad International Airport.

An Iraqi interior ministry official told IranWire three members of one family — a woman and two children — were killed instantly during the attack on September 28. Another woman and child also died, and a further two people were injured and remain in a critical condition. 

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but there is widespread speculation that it was carried out by pro-Iran groups, which have stepped up their campaigns against the United States and coalition troops based in the area. It was reported that the rocket was launched from the Al-Jihad district.

The Katyusha rocket hit and destroyed a house in the Radwaniyah neighborhood outside the airport’s outer fence, according to Mahmoud Al-Shammari, IranWire’s correspondent in Iraq. The Iraqi Joint Operations Command confirmed the attack in a statement.

Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi ordered the detention of security forces who failed to protect the area, according to the statement issued by the Joint Operations Command. He warned that any force found to be neglecting its responsibilities or that allowed security breaches would face harsh punishment, and said he had ordered an immediate investigation into the incident. 

In a post on Facebook, the Security Media Cell of the Joint Operations Command described the attack as “cowardly” and condemned the targeting of civilians and their homes. 

The Iraqi government and security forces have pledged a commitment to protect citizens and their interests by creating stability, supporting the rule of law and targeting criminal gangs. At the same time, these gangs, including groups thought to have links to Iran, and other criminals have stepped up their attacks on ordinary people, creating chaos and terror. 

Iran-linked groups have targeted United States and international coalition forces with missile attacks since the assassination of Iranian Quds Force Commander Ghasem Soleimani and the deputy head of the Popular Mobilization Commission, Mahdi Al-Muhandis, on January 3. There has been a particularly high volume of attacks since August, with groups targeting the international coalition's logistical support convoys in the southern provinces of Iraq, including Baghdad and Salah al-Din.