Iraqi prime minister survives drone attack, officials say

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi survived an alleged assassination attempt on Sunday, local time, two Iraqi officials told The Associated Press. 

“The rockets of treason will not shake one bit of the steadfastness and determination of the heroic security forces,” al-Kadhimi tweeted. “I am fine and among my people. Thank God.”

Seven of the prime minister’s security guards were wounded in the incident. 

In a statement issued through state-run media, the government said that an “explosives-laden” drone had tried to target al-Kadhimi, the AP noted.

The attack, which included three drones, was aimed at his residence and occurred in the Green Zone — a heavily secured area where government offices and embassies are situated.

Details of who was behind the attack were not immediately clear.

The U.S. condemned the drone attack late Saturday night, calling it an “apparent act of terrorism.”

“We are following the reported drone attack targeting the residence of Iraqi Prime Minister Kadhimi. We are relieved to learn the Prime Minister was unharmed,” State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.

“We are in close touch with the Iraqi security forces charged with upholding Iraq’s sovereignty and independence and have offered our assistance as they investigate this attack. Our commitment to our Iraqi partners is unshakeable,” he added.

The drone strike comes only a few days after a protest against the results of last month’s parliamentary election turned violent, with dozens of security officials injured and one supporter of a pro-Iran Shiite militia killed, the AP noted.

Last month Iraq held its parliamentary election, which suffered low voter turnout.

Those supporting the pro-Iran Shiite militias, which suffered the biggest losses following the election, have been pushing back against the results and situated themselves for close to a month outside of the Green Zone in protest, according to the AP.

–Updated on Nov. 7 at 8:05 a.m.