Iraqi PM al-Kadhimi survives drone attack on his home

Iraqi PM al-Kadhimi survives drone attack on his home
Mustafa al-Kadhimi called for 'calm and restraint' in the aftermath of the attack. Source: Getty Images
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Daily US Times: Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has escaped unhurt after a drone attack on his home inside the country’s capital’s high-security Green Zone.

A drone laden with explosives struck the Prime Minister’s residence, injuring six of his bodyguards in an apparent assassination attempt, officials said.

Prime Minister al-Kadhimi, a former intelligence chief, called for “calm and restraint from everyone”.

The attack was condemned by both the US and Iran. The attack comes after violent unrest over recent election results.

Three drones were used in the attack, security sources say. The drones launched from near Republic Bridge on the River Tigris, but two were shot down.

No-one has taken responsibility for that attack in an area of the city housing many government buildings and foreign embassies.

Iraqi media published images that show damage to parts of the residence as well as an SUV vehicle parked in a garage.

Security forces collected the remains of a small explosives-laden drone, an unnamed security official told Reuters news agency.

The official was quoted as saying “It’s premature now to say who carried out the attack. We’re checking our intelligence reports and waiting for initial investigation results to point the finger at perpetrators.”

Commercial drones fitted with explosive were used by the Islamic State (IS) militant group when it held parts of northern Iraq, notably during the battle for Mosul in 2017.

Mr al-Kadhimi was sworn into office in May last year.

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