Diplomacy
.png){kind=icon}
Rockets fired at US Embassy in Baghdad; no casualties
Baghdad, Feb 23 (IANS) At least three rockets have been fired at the US Embassy in the heavily fortified Green Zone in Iraq's capital Baghdad, the media reported citing security sources.
Out of the three rockets, one of them fell within the perimeter of the Green Zone while others landed in the surrounding residential neighbourhoods.
A military statement said there were no casualties and an investigation was underway. The rockets were launched from the Salam area of Baghdad, it said, The Daily Mail reported.
No one has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
There was minor property damage, including a damaged vehicle. The Green Zone houses foreign embassies and is the seat of Iraq's government.
The US Embassy was a frequent target of rocket attacks during the Donald Trump administration. The pace of attacks, however, abated in the weeks before Joe Biden took office, and recently resumed.
In a statement released on Twitter, Iraq's security services said: "Two rockets fell on the Green Zone, without causing any casualties, and the follow-up by the security forces is continuing."
A security source within the Green Zone said the C-RAM anti-rocket defence system deployed at the US embassy did not fire because the rockets were not projected to land within the diplomatic compound.
Share This News
Follow Akilanews.com
Petrol, diesel prices steady even as crude boils
New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) Oil marketing companies have spared consumers of yet another petrol and diesel price hike even though the global oil market is on the boil with crude reaching within touching distance of year-high-level of $70 a barrel.
Petrol continues to be priced at Rs 91.17 a litre and diesel Rs 81.47 a litre in the capital on Saturday. Across the country too, the petrol and diesel price remained unchanged.
This is seventh consecutive day when pump prices of auto fuels have remains unchanged.
After a spike in global oil prices seen over last two weeks with crude price jumping close to $67 a barrel, prices had fallen to around $63 a barrel but it rose again to cross $69 a barrel mark now after after the OPEC+ decision to continue with crude production cut in April.
Petrol and diesel prices have been rising continuously since February 9. In the 14 increases since then, price have gone up by Rs 4.22 per litre for petrol while diesel rate has risen by Rs 4.34 a litre in Delhi.
The increase in the previous weeks has taken petrol to cross historic high levels of Rs 100 a litre in several cities across the country.
The petrol and diesel prices have increased 26 times in 2021 with the two auto fuels increasing by Rs 7.46 and Rs 7.60 per litre, respectively so far this year.
Oil companies executives said that petrol and diesel prices may increase further in coming days as retail prices may have to be balanced in line with global developments to prevent OMCs from making loss on sale of auto fuels.
--IANS
sn/in
