AFP quoted officials and witnesses that mortars shook Baghdad on Monday. Some of the mortars hit areas close to International Airport and inside the Green Zone where are secured areas.

Rear Admiral Gregory Smith, Director of Communications and Deputy Spokesman of MNF-I said: What we are witnessed to is a boost in employing weapons by the special groups under the protection of the Iranian regime.

AFP added: the US Army attributed the missile and mortar attacks to the Iranian-backed militias under the name of “Special Groups” and condemned them.