Two Iraqi officials told The Associated Press that seven of al-Kadhimi's security guards were injured in the attack with two armed drones which occurred in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone area. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to give official statements.
“I am fine and among my people. Thank God,” the prime minister tweeted shortly after the attack. He called for calm and restraint, “for the sake of Iraq.”
He later appeared on Iraqi television, seated behind a desk in a white shirt, looking calm and composed. “Cowardly rocket and drone attacks don't build homelands and don't build a future,” he said...
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Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi was unharmed in an assassination attempt carried out by a drone targeting his official residence on Sunday, the Iraqi military said.
ReplyDeleteThe media office of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command said in a statement that an unknown drone bomb hit al-Kadhimi's residency at dawn in the heavily fortified Green Zone in the center of the capital, but the prime minister escaped the attack unhurt.
"The prime minister did not suffer any harm and he is in good health," the media office said.
Iraqi security forces are taking all necessary measures toward the assassination attempt, the statement said without giving further details.
Shortly after the attack, al-Kadhimi said on Twitter that he was "fine" and called for "calm and restraint from everyone for the sake of Iraq."
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Ten guards were injured when a bomb-laden drone attacked the residence of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi early on Sunday, the Al Hadath television reported.
DeleteAccording to the report, the building in Baghdad’s heavily guarded green zone, where foreign embassies and governmental buildings are located, was damaged in the attack.
Earlier on Sunday, the Al Arabiya TV channel reported that the premier was hospitalized with minor injuries after his residence was attacked by a bomb-laden unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Later, the premier said on Twitter he was not harmed. According to the country’s security services, Al-Kadhimi was taken to a safe place.
Security measures have been stepped up at all entrances to the green zone in the wake of the attack. Al Hadath quoted a statement by the Iraqi military as saying that the situation in the area is "stable and under control."
US offers help
US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price said Washington strongly condemned the attack and was ready to help Iran with the investigation.
"We are relieved to learn the Prime Minister was unharmed," Price said in a statement. "This apparent act of terrorism, which we strongly condemn, was directed at the heart of the Iraqi state."
"We are in close touch with the Iraqi security forces <…> and have offered our assistance as they investigate this attack," the statement says.