US says 'outraged' by rocket attack in Baghdad

The United States is 'outraged' by Monday's rocket attack in the Iraqi capital Baghdad that killed five civilians, US State Department said Tuesday, urging Iraqi authorities to take immediate action to hold the perpetrators accountable.

"We have made the point before that the actions of lawless Iran-backed militias remains the single biggest deterrent to stability in Iraq," Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement.

The condemnation comes after the US threatened to close its embassy in Baghdad unless Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi's administration reigns in armed groups responsible for frequent rocket fire and roadside bomb attacks targeting the American presence in the country.

The attacks have not let up, despite the US threats.

On Tuesday a roadside bomb targeted a convoy carrying materials for the US-led coalition in Babylon province, south of Baghdad, according to a military statement. There were no casualties.

A Katyusha rocket attack struck a residential home killing six civilians, all women and children, the night before. Initially, Iraq's military reported five killed, but one child died of severe wounds overnight.

Iraqi security officials believe the rocket was intended for nearby Baghdad airport, a frequent target of such attacks, where US troops maintain a presence.

The attack was not claimed by any group, but US officials believe Shiite militias aligned with Iran are responsible for that attack and others that have targeted Americans on a near-daily basis in recent weeks. Often, they have targeted the US Embassy in Baghdad, within the heavily fortified Green Zone, and US troops present on Iraqi bases as well as the Baghdad airport. Roadside bombs have also frequently targeted convoys carrying equipment destined for US-led coalition forces.

"We have made the point before that the actions of lawless Iran-backed militias remains the single biggest deterrent to stability in Iraq," Ortagus said. "These militias pose an unacceptable danger to everyone in Iraq, from diplomatic officials and facilities to Iraqi activists and families."