Rocket hits Dutch Emassy in Baghdad
The Dutch Embassy in the Iraqi capital Baghdad was hit by a rocket tonight - but there were no injuries because the mission had closed for the day.
Security guards and United States soldiers said one rocket detonated on the embassy roof, triggering a small fire which appeared to be under control.
Another rocket missed the building, and two other launchers were found in the garden behind the embassy, guards said.
“One hit the roof and the other went straight,” guard Karim al-Zubaidi said.
Al-Zubaidi said the guards fired at a vehicle of the attackers who escaped. No one was injured, a US soldier on the scene said.
Dutch Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Martine de Haan confirmed the attack and confirmed there were no injuries.
As the blast resounded through Baghdad a US quick reaction force from the 1st Armoured Division was sent to the scene, the US command said.
“We saw the light of the fire on the roof, and the firefighters came to the scene and put out the fire on the roof,” Fadi Ghassan, 18, a neighbour of the embassy said, saying he heard two explosions.
The Netherlands has about 1,100 troops in Iraq.
