JAKARTA - The United Nations has condemned a drone attack on the residence of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling for the perpetrators to be held accountable and calling on Iraqis to refrain from violence.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi escaped unscathed from an assassination attempt by an armed drone in Baghdad, officials said on Sunday, in an incident that has raised tensions in Iraq weeks after a disputed election by the groups. Iranian-backed militia.
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) strongly condemns the attempted assassination of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, following a drone strike that targeted his home in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.
According to news reports, the exploding drone strike caused damage to the residence and several security guards of the Prime Minister were injured in the attack.
The Green Zone is an area of government offices and many foreign embassies. So far no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The remains of an explosives-laden drone have been found, as part of an ongoing investigation.
"The mission expresses its relief that the Prime Minister was not injured in the drone strike," UNAMI said in a statement, citing UN News November 8
In a statement, UN Secretary-General António Guterres also strongly condemned the attack, calling for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
"The Secretary-General calls on all Iraqis to exercise complete restraint, reject all violence and any attempt to destabilize Iraq. Urge all political actors to uphold the constitutional order and resolve differences through peaceful and inclusive dialogue," the statement said.
"Terrorism, violence and unlawful acts must not be allowed to undermine Iraq's stability and derail its democratic process," he continued.
To note, protests against the results of last month's parliamentary elections outside Friday's Green Zone turned violent, as demonstrators clashed with security forces, reportedly accusing Iraq's political elite of rigging the vote.
One protester was reported killed, and dozens of security personnel injured. The Prime Minister has ordered an investigation into what caused the violence.
Turnout for the election was low, with only 41 percent voting, and pro-Iranian party and militia supporters losing, according to preliminary results. The protesters are reportedly calling for the Government, and Iraq's independent election commission, to hold a recount.
The UN mission joined the Prime Minister, calling for 'calm and urging restraint' in the days to come after the assassination attempt.
"In addition, UNAMI strongly encourages all parties to take responsibility for de-escalation and engage in dialogue to defuse political tensions, uphold Iraq's national interests."
UNAMI added that the United Nations "supports all Iraqis who long for peace and stability; they don't deserve what they lack."
UNAMI strongly condemns assassination attempt on Iraqi Prime Minister pic.twitter.com/5rxOqrAh15
— UNAMI (@UNIraq) November 7, 2021
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