Iraqi Security forces close the heavily fortified Green Zone as they tightened security measures hours after the assassination attempt on the prime minister in Baghdad on November 7. AP
Iraqi Security forces close the heavily fortified Green Zone as they tightened security measures hours after the assassination attempt on the prime minister in Baghdad on November 7. AP
Iraqi Security forces close the heavily fortified Green Zone as they tightened security measures hours after the assassination attempt on the prime minister in Baghdad on November 7. AP
Iraqi Security forces close the heavily fortified Green Zone as they tightened security measures hours after the assassination attempt on the prime minister in Baghdad on November 7. AP

Drones used in attack on Iraq PM were locally made, says top security official


Mina Aldroubi
  • English
  • Arabic

Two armed drones that targeted Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi's house earlier this month were locally made, National Security Adviser Qassem Al Araji said on Monday.

The committee directed to investigate the attempted assassination of the prime minister released early findings, but Mr Al Araji said more information should be available in the coming days.

The Iraqi security official said the drones were locally made and pointed out the areas they were launched from in a presentation to the media.

“It was proven to the committee that the attack on the prime minister's house was carried out by two drones,” Mr Al Araji said.

“One of them targeted the roof of Mr Al Kadhimi's house and the other, his courtyard,” he said.

The Iraqi official said an additional two missiles were also fired.

Mr Al Kadhimi escaped the attack with just minor injuries.

The investigation has not yet discovered who was behind the attacks, Mr Al Araji said, adding that it has not sought any assistance from “external sides” in the probe.

The investigation may seek help if "needed", said the official.

“The attacks confirm the direct targeting of the prime minister's life,” he said, and “a second drone that did not explode was found on the roof of the prime minister's house the day after the attack.”

Mr Al Araji said "explosives experts did not do their job properly in taking finger prints from the evidence on site and are currently being investigated."

  • The damage inside the home of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi after a drone attack at the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad. EPA
    The damage inside the home of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi after a drone attack at the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad. EPA
  • The Iraqi military announced that Mr Kadhimi's home was attacked with an explosive-laden drone in a 'failed assassination attempt'. Several of the prime minister's guards were injured. EPA
    The Iraqi military announced that Mr Kadhimi's home was attacked with an explosive-laden drone in a 'failed assassination attempt'. Several of the prime minister's guards were injured. EPA
  • Two drones were shot down while a third hit Mr Al Kadhimi's residence before heading for the south-western, Shiite-dominated Hurriyah district, officials said. EPA
    Two drones were shot down while a third hit Mr Al Kadhimi's residence before heading for the south-western, Shiite-dominated Hurriyah district, officials said. EPA
  • The failed assassination attempt came after pro-militia groups staged protests in the Iraqi capital against the results of last month's elections. EPA
    The failed assassination attempt came after pro-militia groups staged protests in the Iraqi capital against the results of last month's elections. EPA
  • Soon after the attack, Mr Al Kadhimi appeared in a video on his Twitter account and said he was safe. EPA
    Soon after the attack, Mr Al Kadhimi appeared in a video on his Twitter account and said he was safe. EPA
  • The attack was a major escalation amid tensions sparked by the refusal of Iran-backed militias to accept the parliamentary election results. AP
    The attack was a major escalation amid tensions sparked by the refusal of Iran-backed militias to accept the parliamentary election results. AP
  • The UAE condemned the attack in the strongest terms. AP
    The UAE condemned the attack in the strongest terms. AP
  • Supporters of parties that lost in the elections have been threatening Mr Al Kadhimi for weeks. AP
    Supporters of parties that lost in the elections have been threatening Mr Al Kadhimi for weeks. AP

The prime minister had strictly instructed the investigation team to "go by the evidence found rather than our own opinions or thoughts," Mr Al Araji said.

The security official said findings of the investigation will take time to disclose.

"This type of investigation takes time and we are not interested in rushing to judgment. We ask all parties to come forward with any credible information that may help the investigation," he said.

Mr Al Araji showed images and videos of the damage made to parts of the residence as well as an SUV vehicle parked in a garage.

The attack was carried out inside Baghdad's high-security Green Zone.

No side has claimed the deadly attack, which occured in an area that houses many government buildings and foreign embassies.

Mr Al Kadhimi, a former intelligence chief, took office in May 2020, pledging to reform the country and hold early elections.

The attack against Mr Al Kadhimi came amid rising tensions over the results of the elections on October 10.

Preliminary results of that poll saw the Conquest (Fatah) Alliance, the political arm of the pro-Iran multi-party Hashed Al Shaabi paramilitary network, suffer a substantial decline in its parliamentary seats.

The group's supporters have denounced the outcome as “fraud".

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Kat Wightman's tips on how to create zones in large spaces

 

  • Area carpets or rugs are the easiest way to segregate spaces while also unifying them.
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Fight Night

FIGHT NIGHT

Four title fights:

Amir Khan v Billy Dib - WBC International title
Hughie Fury v Samuel Peter - Heavyweight co-main event  
Dave Penalosa v Lerato Dlamini - WBC Silver title
Prince Patel v Michell Banquiz - IBO World title

Six undercard bouts:

Michael Hennessy Jr v Abdul Julaidan Fatah
Amandeep Singh v Shakhobidin Zoirov
Zuhayr Al Qahtani v Farhad Hazratzada
Lolito Sonsona v Isack Junior
Rodrigo Caraballo v Sajid Abid
Ali Kiydin v Hemi Ahio

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

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It's Monty Python's Crashing Rocket Circus

To the theme tune of the famous zany British comedy TV show, SpaceX has shown exactly what can go wrong when you try to land a rocket.

The two minute video posted on YouTube is a compilation of crashes and explosion as the company, created by billionaire Elon Musk, refined the technique of reusable space flight.

SpaceX is able to land its rockets on land  once they have completed the first stage of their mission, and is able to resuse them multiple times - a first for space flight.

But as the video, How Not to Land an Orbital Rocket Booster, demonstrates, it was a case if you fail, try and try again.

MATCH INFO

Serie A

Juventus v Fiorentina, Saturday, 8pm (UAE)

Match is on BeIN Sports

Updated: November 29, 2021, 5:40 PM