3 arrested for rocket attack during Biden visit to Iraq

BAGHDAD — The American military says U.S.-Iraqi forces arrested three militants suspected of firing rockets at Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, where visiting Vice President Joe Biden was spending the night.

The military statement Wednesday says a joint rapid-reaction force raided the launch site after three 170mm rockets hit in the Green Zone Tuesday evening. Two Iraqi civilians were killed in the attack.

It says the troops came under small arms fire from a nearby house but were able to arrest three people and seize three rocket rails used in the attack.

The fire came soon after Biden, who was staying in the Green Zone, retired for the evening after talks with U.S. officials there.