Iraq PM Mustafa al-Kadhimi survives drone attack: Government

The Iraqi government has said that prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has survived an assassination attempt with an armed drone. He is unharmed. 

The Government of Iraq released a statement early on Sunday in which it said that the drone tried to hit al-Kadhimi’s home in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone area.

Residents of Baghdad heard the sound of an explosion followed by gunfire from the direction of the capital’s heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses foreign embassies and government offices.

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The security statement released by state-run media said the failed assassination attempt was with “a booby-trapped drone that tried to target his residence in the Green Zone.” The statement added that he was not harmed and was in good health.

“The security forces are taking the necessary measures in connection with this failed attempt,” the statement said, according to the Associated Press.

After the attack, Al-Kadhemi said he is “fine” and called for “calm and restraint”, AFP reported.

It is not clear who is behind the attack, with no group claiming responsibility for it yet. 

Pro-Iran Shiite militias supporters have been camped outside the Green zone for nearly a month after they rejected the results of Iraq’s parliamentary elections in which they were the biggest losers.

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The protests took a violent turn on Friday as demonstrators marched towards the Green Zone, with one protestor killed in the exchange of gunfire and dozens of security personnel injured. An investigation was ordered by the prime minister to ascertain how the clashes started and why orders to not open fire were violated.

The election on October 10,  mostly violence-free and without major technical glitches, were praised by the United States, the UN Security Council and others.

However, militia supporters had camped outside the Green Zone following the election, threatening violence unless a recount was held. 

(With AP inputs)