The embassy itself was not hit but three nearby places in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone were, according to the statement.

The Green Zone was a heavily fortified zone in the center of the Iraqi capital that served as the headquarters of successive Iraqi regimes. It was the administrative center for the Ba'ath Party.

The area was taken by US military forces in April 2003 in some of the heaviest fightings during the capture of Baghdad.

The Green Zone was completely surrounded by high concrete blast walls, T-Walls, and barbed wire fences with access only available through a handful of entry control points, all controlled by Coalition troops.

It is this security that made the Green Zone the safest area of Baghdad, however, the area was frequently shelled by insurgents with mortars and rockets, though these attacks caused few casualties. (ILKHA)