Drone strike on Iraq PM's residence; PM Kadhimi safe

Baghdad – On Sunday, the residence of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi was targeted with a drone loaded with explosives. The Prime Minister survived the blast, but six security personnel were seriously injured. It is also claimed that there were firing rounds near the Prime Minister’s residence after the blast. It is alleged that the Iran affiliated groups in Iraq carried out this attack because they did not accept the results of the recently held elections. The United States has strongly condemned the attack.

A drone attack was carried out on the official residence of former Iraqi intelligence chief and current Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. The attack occurred in the Green Zone area, recognised as a highly protected area in the capital Baghdad. PM Kadhimi then called on the Iraqi people to show restraint through social media. Kadhimi also said that missile and drone strikes would not shape Iraq’s future.

No group has claimed responsibility for the drone strike. But Hashd al-Shabi, an Iran-linked militant group in Iraq, is suspected of carrying out the attack. The Iran affiliated groups suffered a heavy defeat in the elections held last month. The agitated groups are demanding a recount from the Iraqi government. Thousands gathered in the capital, Baghdad, on Friday to protest against the government. One protester was killed in action taken by the security agencies at this time.

Muqtada al-Sadr’s party won the most votes in the Iraqi elections. Al-Sadr has adopted a clear stand that there should be no interference from the United States and Iran in Iraq’s politics. It became clear from the election results that the Iraqi people also supported al-Sadr’s stand. In 2019, more than 600 people were killed in attacks on Iraqi protesters by Iranian-affiliated groups. As a result, there was growing anger among the Iraqi people about Iran and its affiliates. Analysts in the Gulf say that this anger was reflected in the elections held in Iraq last month.

Meanwhile, reactions have been received on the international level over the deadly attack on Iraqi Prime Minister Kadhimi. The US State Department called it a terrorist attack. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have also strongly condemned the drone strike on the Iraqi Prime Minister. The Saudi foreign ministry said that Saudi Arabia stands with the Iraqi Prime Minister in these difficult times. The UAE said that they condemned this attack, which was carried out to hurt the security and stability of Iraq. Analysts warned that the armed groups in the country are preparing for a major coup through this attack.