Drone attack targets Iraq PM, who escapes unhurt, says military By Reuters

BAGHDAD (Reuters) -A drone laden with explosives focused the residence of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi in Baghdad early on Sunday in what the Iraqi army known as an tried assassination, however stated Kadhimi escaped unharmed.

The assault, which safety sources stated injured a number of members of Kadhimi’s private safety, got here after protests within the Iraqi capital over the results of a common election final month turned violent.

The teams main protests and complaints about the results of the October vote are heavily-armed Iran-backed militias which misplaced a lot of their parliamentary energy within the election. They’ve alleged voting and vote-counting irregularities.

No group instantly claimed accountability for the assault on Kadhimi’s residence in Baghdad’s fortified Inexperienced Zone, which homes authorities buildings and overseas embassies.

A press release from the Iraqi army stated that the assault focused Kadhimi’s residence and that he was in “good well being”. It offered no additional element.

Kadhimi’s official Twitter (NYSE:) account stated the prime minister was secure and known as for calm.

Two authorities officers stated Kadhimi’s residence had been hit by no less than one explosion and confirmed to Reuters that the prime minister was secure.

Safety sources informed Reuters that six members of Kadhimi’s private safety power stationed exterior his residence had been injured.

Western diplomats primarily based close by within the Inexperienced Zone stated they heard explosions and gunfire within the space.

Supporters of Iran-aligned militia teams which have grown their energy in parliament and authorities lately have alleged voter fraud and irregularities in counting the outcomes of the Oct. 10 election.

Protests by supporters of events who dispute the outcomes of the vote turned violent on Friday when demonstrators pelted police with stones close to the Inexperienced Zone, injuring a number of officers.

The police responded with tear fuel and dwell gunfire, killing no less than one demonstrator, in keeping with safety and hospital sources in Baghdad.

Unbiased analysts say the election outcomes have been a mirrored image of anger in the direction of the Iran-backed armed teams, that are broadly accused of involvement within the killing of almost 600 protesters who took the road in separate, anti-government demonstrations in 2019.