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A drone struck the Royal Tulip Al-Rasheed Hotel inside Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone on Monday, a site that hosts the European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq and other diplomatic facilities. Around the same time, sirens sounded and an explosion was reported near the United States Embassy, according to a Reuters witness .
Videos on social media showed fire and smoke rising from the building. Official confirmation of casualties is pending.
BREAKING: European Union mission HQ at Royal Tulip Al-Rasheed Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq bombed by drone pic.twitter.com/o8y1pCzieI
— Rapid Report (@RapidReport2025) March 16, 2026
What Is the Royal Tulip Al-Rasheed Hotel?
The hotel is located in Baghdad’s Green Zone, the city’s main diplomatic and government district. It houses the headquarters of the EU Advisory Mission in Iraq and is frequently used by international diplomats, journalists and business travelers. The complex also hosts the Saudi Arabia Embassy.
🚨 Another angle of an Iranian drone striking the Rashid Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq.
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) March 16, 2026
What Happened Near the US Embassy?
Witnesses reported sirens and an explosion near the US Embassy compound at approximately the same time as the hotel strike. The embassy, one of the largest American diplomatic missions globally, has been targeted repeatedly in recent weeks .
On March 13, a missile struck the embassy’s helicopter landing pad, and its air defense system was reportedly destroyed in a previous rocket attack .
Who Is Responsible for These Attacks?
No group has immediately claimed responsibility. However, recent attacks on US diplomatic facilities in Iraq have been attributed to Iran-backed militias operating under names like the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq.” These groups have escalated attacks since the US and Israel launched their military campaign against Iran on February 28, which killed Iran’s Supreme Leader.
WATCH: A UAV strikes the Al-Rasheed Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq’s capital. pic.twitter.com/gu4lcr0iph
— Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) March 16, 2026
How Has Iraq Responded?
Iraq has declared neutrality. National security adviser Qassem al-Araji recently told EU ambassadors that Iraq is not part of the regional conflict and is committed to protecting diplomatic missions. EU ambassadors condemned attacks on Iraqi territory and thanked Iraq for protection efforts .
The strikes come amid an escalating regional conflict following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Over the past few days, dozens of members of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces have been killed in attacks blamed on US-Israeli operations. On March 13, a US airstrike in Baghdad killed a senior PMF leader and two members, wounding five civilians .
The Kurdistan Region has faced at least 200 drone, missile and rocket attacks since the war began, killing four people and injuring 19 .
FAQs: Baghdad Attacks | Breaking
Q: What was hit in Monday’s attack?
A: A drone struck the Royal Tulip Al-Rasheed Hotel in the Green Zone. Explosions and sirens were also reported near the US Embassy .
Q: Is the EU mission in Iraq operational?
A: The EU has not officially commented on Monday’s strike but previously condemned attacks on Iraqi infrastructure .
Q: Have there been previous attacks on the US Embassy?
A: Yes. On March 13, a missile hit the embassy’s helipad. Rocket attacks have also damaged its air defense system .
Q: Who is responsible?
A: No group has claimed Monday’s attack, but previous strikes have been attributed to Iran-backed militias .
Q: Is Iraq involved in the regional war?
A: No. Iraq has declared neutrality and vowed to protect diplomatic missions .
Disclaimer: This information is based on inputs from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.
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