Drones used in attack on Iraq PM ‘locally made’

Two armed drones used in an attack on Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi’s house this month were locally made, National Security Adviser Qasim Al Araji said yesterday.

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

“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 two missiles were also fired.

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

Mr Al Kadhimi escaped the attack with minor injuries.

The investigation has not yet discovered who was behind the attacks, Mr Al Araji said.

There has been no assistance from “external sides”, but help may be sought if needed, he said.

“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.

He said that “explosives experts did not do their job properly in taking fingerprints from the evidence on site, and are being investigated”.

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 the findings of the investigation will take time to disclose.

“This type of investigation takes time and we are not interested in rushing to judgment,” he said.

“We ask all parties to come forward with any credible information that may help the investigation.”

There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack, which occurred in an area of Baghdad that houses many government buildings and foreign embassies.