BAGHDAD — U.S. government employees in the the so-called Green Zone here have been ordered to wear body armor when leaving their offices in Baghdad.

Following unprecedented Shi'ite rocket attacks on the Green Zone, Americans were warned to remain indoors, the U.S. embassy in Baghdad said. Most of the rocket strikes have originated from neighboring Sadr City, a stronghold of the Iranian-sponsored Mahdi Army.

"This is to notify all U.S. citizens in Iraq that the U.S. embassy has announced that, until further notice, all personnel under the authority of the Chief of Mission are required to wear body armor, helmet and protective eyewear any time they are outside of building structures in the International Zone," the embassy said in a warden message on March 27.

At least two U.S. employees were killed in Shi'ite rocket strikes over the last week. Several other Americans have been injured in the Green Zone.

On Monday, the Green Zone continued to be pounded by Shi'ite gunners. Mortars rained on the U.S.-protected compound in central Baghdad as a loudspeaker blared a recorded announcement that urged people to take cover.

"In addition, Chief of Mission personnel in the International Zone have been advised to remain inside of hardened structures at all times, except for mission essential movements," the embassy said.

The State Department has warned U.S. citizens not to travel to Iraq. Officials said the U.S. military has deemed the Baghdad area as extremely dangerous amid the Shi'ite insurgency.

Officials said U.S. embassy staffers have been ordered to sleep in reinforced structures and use only armored vehicles. On March 29, the State Department sent a memorandum to embassy staffers that expanded restrictions on movement.

"No one is to sleep or spend long periods of time in their trailer," the memo said. "All personnel must wear [protective gear], have their radios and cell phones with them, and must travel in armored vehicles."

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