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(Washington, May 16) – The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) office in Baghdad’s Green Zone was hit by shrapnel at approximately 3:30 PM local time (7:30 AM EDT) today. The damage was the result of a rocket or mortar attack on the larger facility where the Institute’s office is housed. The perpetrators of the attack are unknown.

The USIP office was open and occupied at the time of the attack, but no USIP staff were injured in the incident. News reports indicate that fewer than 10 people were injured elsewhere in the facility.

Damage to the Institute’s office was significant but not sufficient to stop operations completely.

The Institute has no reason to believe that its offices were specifically targeted in the attack.

USIP has maintained a presence in Baghdad since early 2004 after Congress and the State Department directed the Institute to apply its conflict resolution and peacebuilding skills on the ground in Iraq. Congress appropriated $10 million and the State Department transferred $2.85 million for the effort.

The Institute’s Iraq programs seek to help stabilize the country by preventing sectarian violence; promoting the rule of law; and training community and political leaders in conflict resolution and nation-building skills.

Institute president Richard Solomon said, "We maintain an ongoing presence in Baghdad because stabilizing war-torn countries requires engagement on the ground. Our mission in Iraq is to help Iraqis build a strong, secure future. We know it is dangerous to keep a permanent presence in the country, but these projects are essential to our mission of international peacebuilding. We are developing capacity among Iraqis that no other organization can develop, and we are committed to sustaining these efforts."

Full information on USIP’s work in Iraq is available online.