Calls Drone Attack On Iraqi PM's Residence A Heinous Terrorism, Pope Francis Prays For Iraq Peace

Pope Francis during a visit to Iraq. (Twitter/@VaticanNews)

JAKARTA - Pope Francis on Tuesday condemned the drone attack on the residence of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi as an "heinous act of terrorism".

PM al-Kadhimi escaped unharmed, when three military drones carrying explosives were launched at his home in Baghdad, Iraq on Sunday. The attack left several of his bodyguards injured.

Regarding the attack, the Vatican said its foreign minister sent a message to the Iraqi prime minister on behalf of Pope Francis, who visited Iraq in March.

"In condemning this heinous act of terrorism, Pope Francis once again expressed his confidence that, with the blessing of Almighty God, the Iraqi people will be strengthened in wisdom and strength in pursuing the path of peace, through dialogue and fraternal solidarity," he wrote in a message quoting Reuters on Nov. 9.

Iraqi security officials and militia sources in Baghdad said the drone strike was carried out by at least one Iranian-backed militia, weeks after pro-Iran groups were defeated in an election they say was rigged.

Three drones were used in the drone strike on Mustafa al-Kadhimi's residence, including two that were shot down by security forces, while a third drone hit the residence, state news agency INA quoted an interior ministry spokesman as saying.

A spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces said after the attack the security situation was stable in the Green Zone, which houses residences, government buildings and foreign embassies. No group immediately claimed responsibility.

For investigations, security forces retrieved the remains of a small drone laden with explosives, an Iraqi security official familiar with the attack told Reuters.

"It is too early to say who carried out the attack," the official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment on security details.