Iraqi security officials and militia sources said Monday that the assassination attempt on the Iraqi prime minister was carried out by a Tehran-backed militia using Iranian-made explosive-laden drones.
According to Arab News, Mustafa al-Kazmi narrowly escaped when three drones hit his residence in Baghdad's Green Zone on Sunday.
Two drones were stopped and destroyed, but a third detonated, damaging the building and injuring several of its bodyguards.The incident has escalated tensions in Iraq, where powerful Iranian-backed private military groups are disputing the outcome of last month's legislative elections. He suffered a crushing election defeat and lost much of his power in parliament.
Many Iraqis fear that if more such incidents occur, tensions could escalate into widespread conflict.
On Monday, the streets of Baghdad were clearer and quieter than usual, and additional military and police checkpoints in the capital appeared to be on the lookout for possible violence.Iraqi officials and analysts say the attack was intended to send a message from the militia that they would resort to violence if they were excluded from forming a government or their grip on large areas was challenged. Are ready
"This is a clear message, we can spread chaos in Iraq," said Hamdi Malik, a militia expert at the Washington Institute. We have guns, we have the resources. "
Militia sources said that the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Quds Force visited Iraq after the attack on Sunday to meet with militia leaders and urge them to refrain from escalating violence.
Two Iraqi security officials told Reuters that the book was carried out by Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq.
A militia source said Kataib Hizbullah was involved but could not confirm Asaib's role.
One Iraqi security official said the drones used were quadcopter-type, which contained more explosives capable of damaging buildings and armored vehicles.He said they were the same type of Iranian-made drones and explosives used in attacks on US forces in Iraq this year by Hezbollah clerics.
According to Hamdi Malik, the drone strike shows that the Iranian-backed militia is pitting itself against the influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who also controls a militia - a scenario that Influence will be damaged and Tehran will probably oppose it.
"I don't think Iran wants a Shiite civil war with the Shiites," he said. It would weaken its position in Iraq and give other groups a chance to strengthen itself. "
The UN Security Council, meanwhile, condemned the attack in the strongest terms
