Sharjah24 – Reuters: A drone laden with explosives targeted the residence of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi in Baghdad early on Sunday in what the Iraqi military called an attempted assassination, but said Kadhimi escaped unhurt.
The attack, which security sources said injured several members of Kadhimi's personal protection, came after protests in the Iraqi capital over the result of a general election last month turned violent.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack on Kadhimi's residence in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, which houses government buildings and foreign embassies.
A statement from the Iraqi military said that the attack targeted Kadhimi's residence and that he was in "good health". It provided no further detail.
Kadhimi's official Twitter account said the prime minister was safe and called for calm.
Two government officials said Kadhimi's residence had been hit by at least one explosion and confirmed to Reuters that the prime minister was safe.
Security sources said that six members of Kadhimi's personal protection force stationed outside his residence had been injured.
Western diplomats based nearby in the Green Zone said they heard explosions and gunfire in the area.
Protests by supporters of parties who dispute the results of the vote turned violent on Friday when demonstrators pelted police with stones near the Green Zone, injuring several officers.
The police responded with tear gas and live gunfire, killing at least one demonstrator, according to security and hospital sources in Baghdad.
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