Tensions rise in Iraq after drone attack on Mustafa Kadhimi's residence
Patrols and control by Iraqi army forces around Baghdad, as well as around the entrances to the city's Green Zone, continue. The finger of blame for the drone attack on the Iraqi Prime Minister's residence is pointed at forces supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The drone attack on Baghdad's Green Zone and the residence of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Kadhimi has fueled tensions and clashes between law enforcement forces and forces backed by the Islamic Republic of Iran in Iraq.
On Monday, November 8th, the Associated Press reported from Baghdad that Iraqi army helicopters were flying over the city's skies.
In addition, it is said that Iraqi army patrol vehicles were also moving in the surrounding areas of the city and around the Green Zone in the hours after the drone attack on Kadhimi's residence in Baghdad.
The Islamic Republic and the drone attack
After the announcement of the results of the parliamentary elections on October 10th and the heavy defeat of the pro-Islamic Republic forces in Iraq, a new wave of tension began in Iraq.
While the finger of blame for the drone attack on the Iraqi Prime Minister's residence is pointed at Iranian-backed forces, these forces have denied any involvement in the attack on Sunday, November 7th.
A spokesman for Kataib Hezbollah, a force that enjoys financial and military support from the Islamic Republic of Iran, said that "no force in Iraq is willing to waste a drone to attack the former Iraqi prime minister."
Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic, has called this attack a “new sedition” and considered it the product of a foreign think tank. Shamkhani claimed that this attack was carried out with the aim of creating instability and further tension in Iraq.
This is while Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Foreign Minister of Ebrahim Raisi's government, holds the United States responsible for the drone attack on Kazemi's residence.
It should be noted that Baghdad's Green Zone, which enjoys special security cover, has repeatedly been the target of missile and drone attacks by forces supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
After appearing on a television program, Kadhimi met and talked with Iraqi President Barham Salih. After that, he participated in a security meeting and also in a government meeting.
The investigation into the drone attack on Kazemi's residence is ongoing. The United States has expressed its readiness to participate in the investigation. Barham Saleh has called for action against the perpetrators of the attack.
On the other hand, it is said that protests by pro-Islamic Republic forces in Iraq against the results of the aforementioned parliamentary elections continued on Sunday.
On Sunday, November 7, forces supported by the Islamic Republic also participated in a demonstration, holding Mustafa Kazemi and his government responsible for the new wave of violence in the country and demanding a recount of the election votes. One person was killed during clashes between security forces and protesters on Friday.
Source: DW
