An Iranian-backed Shi’ite militia in Iraq was behind Sunday’s assassination attempt against Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Khadimi, according to Iraqi security forces cited in a report by Reuters on Monday.
The report said that the drones and explosive warheads used in the attack were manufactured in Iran.
Reuters added that Kadhimi appeared in video footage published by his office on Sunday “chairing a meeting with top security commanders to discuss the drone attack.”
Three drones were used in the attack, “including two that were downed by security forces while a third drone hit the residence,” said the report, citing Iraqi state media.
On Friday, clashes in Baghdad erupted between government forces and supporters of Iranian-backed political parties that performed poorly in parliamentary elections in October.
In a separate report, Reuters noted that “on Kadhimi’s watch, Iraqi security forces sought to rein in the Iran-backed groups which U.S. officials accuse of firing rockets at bases hosting U.S. personnel. But little was achieved on this front, and on the rare occasions Iraqi security forces detained members of these groups, they were soon released.”