Roadside bombing targets British diplomatic vehicles in Baghdad

From the Express and Star

A roadside bombing has targeted British diplomatic vehicles in Baghdad, the British Embassy and Iraqi officials said.

There were no injuries but the attack fuelled concerns over armed groups outside of the state’s control.

The attack targeted an embassy convoy on a road close to the Umm al-Tabool Mosque, the British Embassy and Iraqi security officials said. No one immediately claimed the bombing.

“The safety and security of our staff is of paramount importance and we are in close touch with the Iraqi authorities,” said a statement from the British Embassy.

The Green Zone is home to the seat of Iraq’s government and many foreign embassies, including those of the UK and the US. The attack – the first in months to target a diplomatic convoy – comes amid near daily rocket attacks aimed at the Green Zone and Iraqi army bases hosting US troops. Rocket attacks have rarely led to significant losses.

Tuesday’s bombing is the third attack in the last 24 hours against foreign missions. Earlier on Monday, a roadside bomb targeted a convoy of vehicles carrying equipment for Americans on the main route in Babylon province, south of Baghdad.