The residence of Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi is located in the strictly guarded green zone of Baghdad.
Residents of Baghdad heard the sound of an explosion, and then sound of firearms, from the direction in which the green zone is located. The area is home to government offices and foreign embassies.
Security sources first stated that it was a rocket attack, but later the authorities stated that it was an attack carried out with an armed drone. In a statement via state media in Iraq, the authorities state that the drone was equipped with an explosive device and that an attempt was made to steer the drone towards the prime minister’s residence.
– The drone tried to hit the prime minister’s residence. The prime minister was not injured, a statement from al-Kadhemi’s office said.
No one else was injured either, the authorities say.
“The security forces are now taking the necessary steps in connection with this failed attempt,” the statement said.
The Prime Minister himself sent out a statement asking people to remain calm after the attack. It was not clear until Sunday night who was behind it.
The attack took place during demonstrations in Iraq against the result of last month’s election to a new National Assembly, in which Iranian-friendly groups suffered significant defeats. Hundreds of supporters of the Iranian-friendly Shiite militia have, since the election result became clear, lived in tents that they have set up outside the green zone.
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