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Ten guards injured in drone attack on Iraqi premier’s residence — TV

The building in Baghdad’s heavily guarded green zone, where foreign embassies and governmental buildings are located, was damaged in the attack
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi EPA-EFE/CHRISTIAN MARQUARDT/POOL
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi
© EPA-EFE/CHRISTIAN MARQUARDT/POOL

CAIRO, November 7. /TASS/. Ten guards were injured when a bomb-laden drone attacked the residence of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi early on Sunday, the Al Hadath television reported.

According to the report, the building in Baghdad’s heavily guarded green zone, where foreign embassies and governmental buildings are located, was damaged in the attack.

Earlier on Sunday, the Al Arabiya TV channel reported that the premier was hospitalized with minor injuries after his residence was attacked by a bomb-laden unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Later, the premier said on Twitter he was not harmed. According to the country’s security services, Al-Kadhimi was taken to a safe place.

Security measures have been stepped up at all entrances to the green zone in the wake of the attack. Al Hadath quoted a statement by the Iraqi military as saying that the situation in the area is "stable and under control."

US offers help

US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price said Washington strongly condemned the attack and was ready to help Iraq with the investigation.

"We are relieved to learn the Prime Minister was unharmed," Price said in a statement. "This apparent act of terrorism, which we strongly condemn, was directed at the heart of the Iraqi state."

"We are in close touch with the Iraqi security forces <…> and have offered our assistance as they investigate this attack," the statement says.