Send Letter To Iraqi Prime Minister, President Erdogan: Turkey Supports Struggle Against Terrorists

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (Source: Presidency of The Republic of Turkey)

JAKARTA - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent a letter to Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi last Wednesday, in which he condemned in "the strongest terms" the terror attack on his residence last weekend.

"The Republic of Turkey is determined to continue its strong support for you in your ongoing fight against terrorism," President Erdogan wrote to PM al-Kadhimi whom he referred to as, "Mr Prime Minister, Dear Brother," quoting Yenisafak Nov. 11.

"It is with great sadness that I learn of the terrorist attack on your residence in Baghdad. Once again, we will always support our neighbor Iraq in this just struggle (against terrorism)," President Erdogan continued.

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.

Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi called for "calm and refrain from all for the sake of Iraq", after the attack that came amid protests by supporters of the Iran-backed al-Fatah Alliance and the Hashd al-Shaabi militia, following parliamentary elections last month.

Iraqi security officials and a militia source 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.

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.