Among upheaval in Baghdad, a black Mi-8/Mi-17 on top of a building in the Green Zone led to claims of the U.S. embassy being evacuated.

The U.S. State Department has categorically denied claims that it ordered personnel to evacuate from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad after a serious wave of violence erupted in the Iraqi capital today. Rumors of an evacuation order had begun to swirl after a video clip and a still picture showing a Mi-8/Mi-17 Hip-type helicopter on top of a building, which appears to be inside Baghdad's sprawling Green Zone, began circulating on social media, drawing comparisons to images from the fall of Kabul last year. Together with the official denial of evacuation, there are strong indications that this was an Iraqi helicopter and it may not have actually been at the U.S. Embassy compound at all.

"These reports are false," a State Department spokesperson told The War Zone in a statement in response to queries about the evacuation claims. "Ensuring the safety of U.S. government personnel, U.S. citizens, and the security of our facilities remains our highest priority."

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) "continues to monitor the situation closely which currently looks like it's de-escalating," U.S. Army Lt. Col. Dave Eastburn, a spokesperson for the command, which is the top American military headquarters overseeing operations in the Middle East, also said in a statement to The War Zone. "As of now, US CENTCOM is not aware of any evacuation orders being...

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