The international community has condemned the assassination attempt on Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi, with the UAE describing it as “cowardly” and the US condemning it as a “terrorist” act.
Although Mr Al Kadhimi escaped with only an injured wrist, images showed the destruction at his home caused by the explosive-laden drone after a week of escalating tension.
Mr Al Kadhimi said after chairing a security meeting on Sunday that those behind an attempt on his life were well known and would be exposed.
"We will pursue those who committed yesterday's crime, we know them well and we will expose them," he said according to a statement from the prime minister office.
The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry “strongly condemned” what they called a “cowardly terrorist attack” on Mr Al Kadhimi’s residence.
His home is inside the Green Zone, a secure compound that houses government buildings and international missions including the US embassy.
US President Joe Biden condemned the attack and said those responsible for it “must be held accountable”.
“I am relieved the prime minister was not injured and commend the leadership he has shown in calling for calm, restraint and dialogue to protect the institutions of the state and strengthen the democracy Iraqis so richly deserve,” he said.
“I condemn in the strongest terms those using violence to undermine Iraq’s democratic process.”
Mr Biden said he had instructed his national security team to help Iraq’s security forces to investigate the attack and identify those behind it.
US State Department spokesman Ned Price expressed his dismay at the attack, saying it was “directed at the heart of the Iraqi state”.
US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi to condemn the terrorist attack and convey his relief that the Prime minister was unharmed.
Secretary Blinken underscored this attack was also an attack on the sovereignty and stability of the Iraqi state.
Mr Blinken reiterated that the US partnership with Mr Al Kadhimi and with Iraq is steadfast, and pledged to support the Iraqi security forces as they investigate this attack.
Iran’s senior security official, Ali Shamkhani, referred to the attack as “a new sedition” while Tehran’s Foreign Ministry urged “vigilance to foil plots aimed at the security and development”.
“The attempt … is a new sedition that must be traced back to foreign think tanks,” he said on Twitter.
Iran backs numerous armed militias in Iraq that have been accused of carrying out repeated attacks against US and international forces in Iraq.
A security official with the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia – one of the armed groups most vocally opposed to Mr Al Kadhimi and connected to past attacks – dismissed involvement in the attack.
“According to our confirmed information, no-one in Iraq has the desire to waste a drone on the house of a former prime minister,” Abu Ali Al Askari said on Telegram.
Iran blamed the US for the attack on Mr Al Kadhimi.
The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq said it was relieved Mr Al Kadhimi was not seriously hurt.
“Terrorism, violence and unlawful acts must not be allowed to undermine Iraq’s stability and derail its democratic process,” it said.
“Unami strongly encourages all sides to take responsibility for de-escalation and to engage in dialogue to ease political tensions, upholding the national interest of Iraq.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson "strongly condemned" the attack targeting his Iraqi counterpart Mustafa al-Kadhemi, his office said Sunday.
Johnson also "offered his sympathies to those injured" after an explosives-packed drone struck Kadhemi's Baghdad residence early Sunday, Downing Street said.
Britain’s Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, also condemned the attack and backed Mr Al Kadhimi’s call for calm.
“We condemn the attack on Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi,” she said on Twitter.
“We stand with the Iraqi government, security forces and people in their rejection of political violence and strongly support the Prime Minister’s call for calm and restraint.”
France’s President Emmanuel Macron also condemned the attack.
Qatar’s state-run news agency carried a statement from authorities that said the country supported the “unity, stability and sovereignty” of Iraq.
Jordan’s state news agency, Petra, quoted the Foreign Ministry as saying it rejected “attempts that aim to tamper with the security and stability of Iraq”.
“The ministry also reiterated Jordan’s supportive stance towards Iraq in the face of whatever threatens the security of its people and in combatting terrorism,” the agency reported.
Bahrain’s Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al Khalid called Mr Al Kadhimi and condemned the attack, and expressed Kuwait’s “solidarity with the Iraqi government and its people”.
Masoud Barzani, the former president of the Kurdish Regional Government of Iraq, also called Mr Al Kadhimi to give his support.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tottenham 0-1 Ajax, Tuesday
Second leg
Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm
Game is on BeIN Sports
Short-term let permits explained
Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.
Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.
There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.
Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.
Switching%20sides
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Thor: Ragnarok
Dir: Taika Waititi
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson
Four stars
LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The UAE's journey to space
if you go
The flights
Direct flights from the UAE to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, are available with Air Arabia, (www.airarabia.com) Fly Dubai (www.flydubai.com) or Etihad (www.etihad.com) from Dh1,200 return including taxes. The trek described here started from Jomson, but there are many other start and end point variations depending on how you tailor your trek. To get to Jomson from Kathmandu you must first fly to the lake-side resort town of Pokhara with either Buddha Air (www.buddhaair.com) or Yeti Airlines (www.yetiairlines.com). Both charge around US$240 (Dh880) return. From Pokhara there are early morning flights to Jomson with Yeti Airlines or Simrik Airlines (www.simrikairlines.com) for around US$220 (Dh800) return.
The trek
Restricted area permits (US$500 per person) are required for trekking in the Upper Mustang area. The challenging Meso Kanto pass between Tilcho Lake and Jomson should not be attempted by those without a lot of mountain experience and a good support team. An excellent trekking company with good knowledge of Upper Mustang, the Annaurpuna Circuit and Tilcho Lake area and who can help organise a version of the trek described here is the Nepal-UK run Snow Cat Travel (www.snowcattravel.com). Prices vary widely depending on accommodation types and the level of assistance required.
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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