<p>Iran-backed militias "pose an unacceptable danger" in Iraq, the US said on Tuesday, after a wayward rocket targeting American troops killed seven civilians near Baghdad.</p>.<p>"We have made the point before that the actions of lawless Iran-backed militias remains the single biggest deterrent to stability in Iraq," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement.</p>.<p>Monday's attack -- one of around 40 targeting US interests since early August -- comes after Washington threatened to close its embassy and withdraw its remaining 3,000 troops if the violence does not end.</p>.<p>"These militias pose an unacceptable danger to everyone in Iraq, from diplomatic officials and facilities to Iraqi activists and families," Ortagus said.</p>.<p>Five children and two women were killed by the rocket that was targeting the nearby Baghdad airport Monday.</p>.<p>Iraq has long been caught in a tug-of-war between its allies Iran and the US, rendered rockier by Washington's "maximum pressure" policy against Tehran since 2018.</p>.<p>Possibly anticipating a backlash, pro-Iran social media accounts that usually laud such rocket strikes were silent in the wake of Monday's attack.</p>.<p>"We express our condolences to the innocent Iraqi people and their families who were victims, once again, of these ruthless acts of violence," Ortagus said.</p>.<p>"The Iraqi people deserve to live in safety and security, so we call on Iraqi officials to take immediate action to hold the perpetrators accountable," she added.</p>.<p>In addition to around 3,000 troops stationed in three bases across the country, the US still has hundreds of diplomats in its mission in Baghdad at the high-security Green Zone.</p>
<p>Iran-backed militias "pose an unacceptable danger" in Iraq, the US said on Tuesday, after a wayward rocket targeting American troops killed seven civilians near Baghdad.</p>.<p>"We have made the point before that the actions of lawless Iran-backed militias remains the single biggest deterrent to stability in Iraq," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement.</p>.<p>Monday's attack -- one of around 40 targeting US interests since early August -- comes after Washington threatened to close its embassy and withdraw its remaining 3,000 troops if the violence does not end.</p>.<p>"These militias pose an unacceptable danger to everyone in Iraq, from diplomatic officials and facilities to Iraqi activists and families," Ortagus said.</p>.<p>Five children and two women were killed by the rocket that was targeting the nearby Baghdad airport Monday.</p>.<p>Iraq has long been caught in a tug-of-war between its allies Iran and the US, rendered rockier by Washington's "maximum pressure" policy against Tehran since 2018.</p>.<p>Possibly anticipating a backlash, pro-Iran social media accounts that usually laud such rocket strikes were silent in the wake of Monday's attack.</p>.<p>"We express our condolences to the innocent Iraqi people and their families who were victims, once again, of these ruthless acts of violence," Ortagus said.</p>.<p>"The Iraqi people deserve to live in safety and security, so we call on Iraqi officials to take immediate action to hold the perpetrators accountable," she added.</p>.<p>In addition to around 3,000 troops stationed in three bases across the country, the US still has hundreds of diplomats in its mission in Baghdad at the high-security Green Zone.</p>