Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi said Sunday, after surviving a failed assassination attempt, that "cowardly rockets do not build homelands or a future". Al-Kadhimi stated in a video aired by his media office that "my house was under a cowardly attack, and my workers and I are unharmed." He added, "Security forces are working on protecting and keeping Iraq safe." Iraqi security authorities reported early Sunday that there was a failed attempt on the life of the prime minister in his house located in the Green Zone, Central Baghdad. Al-Kadhimi called for "calm and restraint from everyone". Security sources say three drones were used in the attack, launched from near Republic Bridge on the River Tigris, but two were shot down. No-one has said they carried out the attack, in an area of the city housing many government buildings and foreign embassies. Images published by Iraqi media show damage to parts of the residence as well as an SUV vehicle parked in a garage. Remains of a small explosives-laden drone were collected by security forces for examination, an unnamed security official told Reuters news agency. Iraqi President Barham Saleh stated Sunday that the "terrorist" attack targeting Prime Minister Al-Kadhimi is grave infringement and an awful crime against Iraq. In a tweet, the president called for unity in facing whom he referred to as evil people endangering the security of the country and the safety of its people, reaffirming his rejection of dragging Iraq into chaos and jeopardizing its constitutional system. Earlier Sunday Al-Kadhimi announced that his house, located in the midst of Baghdad, was attacked via drone, but he was unharmed. Iraqi security authorities stated that Al-Kadhimi survived a failed assassination attempt targeting his residence. — Agencies
