inside the Green Zone. On July 22, 2010, three Triple Canopy security guard contractors (two Ugandans and one Peruvian) were killed and 15 more wounded (including two U.S. nationals) when a rocket attack struck inside the Green Zone. Since the handover of sovereignty to Iraqis, many of the facilities in the Green Zone have been turned over to the new Iraqi government. It is still a base for western private military contractors, and home to the U.S., British, Australian and Egyptian embassies. The permanent U.S. embassy is located in the southern part of the International or "Green" Zone overlooking the Tigris River. On 1 January 2009, full control of the International Zone (formerly "Green Zone") was handed over to Iraqi security forces, though the Zone remained off-limits to the public. This changed on 4 October 2015, when it was opened to the public with certain restrictions, and again on 10 December 2018, when parts of the Green Zone were opened to the public without restrictions for the first time in over 15 years. On 8 January 2020, two Katyusha rockets struck within the Green Zone. Notable sites Al Rasheed Hotel Al Zaqura Building, part of the Iraqi prime minister's office Assassins' Gate Al Quds Gate (or Jerusalem Gate) Coalition Provisional Authority Embassy of the United States, Baghdad Green Zone Bazaar (destroyed) Green Zone Cafe (destroyed, reopened and finally closed) Hands of Victory monument Ibn Sina Hospital The Monument to the Unknown Soldier The Republican Palace, former Royal Palace Unfinished addition to Ba'ath Party Headquarters (Location of trial of Saddam Hussein) – pictured in gallery, below small mosque Gallery References External links Editorial: Interview (Transcript): Interview (Transcript): Interview (Video): Baghdad Al Khadhraa 21st century in Baghdad Occupation of Iraq Diplomatic districts