The US Embassy in Baghdad came under attack on Saturday following strikes that killed three members of an influential pro-Iranian group in the capital, security sources said, AFP reports.

According to an AFP journalist, a cloud of black smoke rose above the US diplomatic mission shortly after explosions were heard on Saturday morning. Two security officials told AFP that the embassy compound was struck by a drone.

As the outlet notes, this is already the second attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad since the start of the war.

Later on Saturday, the embassy issued an updated security alert urging citizens to "immediately depart the country," while recommending they not come to the embassy in the capital or the consulate general in Erbil "in light of the continued risk of missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and rockets in Iraqi airspace."

"Iran-affiliated terrorist formations have repeatedly attacked the International Zone in Baghdad. There have also been repeated attacks in the area of Erbil International Airport and the Consulate General," the embassy statement reads.