Drone strike kills officer at Iraqi intelligence headquarters in Baghdad

BAGHDAD — A drone strike on the Iraqi National Intelligence Service headquarters in Baghdad’s Mansour district killed an officer Saturday morning, according to official statements.

The Security Media Cell said a drone “fell on the headquarters of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service in the Mansour area” at 10:15 a.m. The intelligence agency described the strike as “a terrorist attack carried out by outlaw groups” and said it would continue its duties, adding that “these terrorist practices only increase its determination to pursue the perpetrators and those responsible until they are arrested and brought to justice.”

The strike is the latest in a sustained wave of drone and rocket attacks on government facilities, diplomatic missions and military sites since the regional war began Feb. 28. The U.S. Embassy compound has been struck multiple times. The Al-Rasheed Hotel, housing the Saudi embassy and the EU Advisory Mission, was hit by a drone. The UAE Consulate General in Erbil was targeted twice in a week. NATO completed the withdrawal of all its personnel from Iraq on March 20.

Iraqi authorities have condemned each attack and pledged to pursue those responsible. The strikes have continued regardless.