U.S. State Department tightens restrictions

Two American citizens have been killed since the attacks began last Sunday.

BAGHDAD (AP) — The U.S. State Department on Saturday tightened restrictions on embassy staff in Baghdad, ordering all employees to sleep inside reinforced structures and to use only armored vehicles when traveling in the Green Zone due to incoming rocket fire.

Two American citizens have been killed and several wounded by rocket or mortar attacks this week as the heavily fortified area has come under steady fire by suspected Shiite extremists angry over a government crackdown in the southern oil port of Basra.

The announcement came two days after embassy personnel were advised to remain under “hard cover at all times” and required to wear helmets and other protective gear if they ventured outside.

In a memo sent to embassy personnel Saturday, the State Department reiterated the previous requirements and added that all personnel must limit their time outside “hardened facilities” and travel in the Green Zone only in armored vehicles.

“No one is to sleep or spend long periods of time in their trailer,” said the memo, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.

When traveling outside, “all personnel must wear [protective gear], have their radios and cell phones with them, and must travel in armored vehicles,” it added.

The embassy has set up cots inside the Saddam Hussein-era palace in which it is headquartered in the sprawling area in central Baghdad.

The first wave of rockets struck a week ago Sunday, when a U.S. financial analyst was killed. Another U.S. government employee died Thursday.

At least one round was fired toward the Green Zone on Saturday, although no casualties were reported, and the attacks were not as intense as they have been in recent days.