SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Bafel Jalal Talabani on Sunday condemned a drone attack that targeted the residence of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi in Baghdad, saying they will confront any act that’s against stability and coexistence of the country.
The Iraqi premier survived an assassination attempt carried out by a drone laden with explosives, which targeted his residence in Baghdad early on Sunday.
“We will face any criminal act that’s against political stability, peace and coexistence, and we will work with all our might for the sovereignty of Iraq,” Talabani said in a statement.
“The incident tells us that the winning political forces and parties in the Region and Iraq must work together on the basis of the constitution and mutual interests to form a reformist government that serves and confronts all those who violate the law and make obstacles for the country’s development,” he added.
“We reiterate that political stability, security, and tranquility are red lines for us.”
Three drones were used in the attack, including two that were intercepted and downed by security forces while a third drone hit the residence, according to the Iraqi interior ministry.
The Iraqi military said several members of Kadhimi’s personnel protection force stationed outside his residence in the Green Zone were wounded.
Images published by Iraqi news agency INA showed damage to some parts of the prime minister’s residence and a damaged SUV vehicle parked in the garage.
Remains of a small explosive-laden drone were retrieved by security forces to be investigated.
Iraqi President Barham Salih condemned the attack as a heinous crime against Iraq.
“We cannot accept that Iraq will be dragged into chaos and a coup against its constitutional system,” he said in a tweet.
Shia Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, whose party was the biggest winner in last month’s election, called the attack a terrorist act against Iraq’s stability that aimed to “return Iraq to a state of chaos to be controlled by non-state forces”.
The United States, UK, France, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Iran as well as other Arab countries, Egypt and Lebanon condemned the attack.
