Attempt to assassinate Iraqi PM draws global condemnation
SMA NEWS – BAGHDAD
Countries around the world on Sunday condemned the attempt to target Iraq’s prime minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi in Baghdad, who survived an assassination attempt with an armed drone.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said the attack was a “cowardly terrorist act.”
The UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and the Arab League have all issued similar statements condemning the attack on the prime minister.
The US State Department condemned the attack and offered assistance with the investigation. “This apparent act of terrorism, which we strongly condemn, was directed at the heart of the Iraqi state,” spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.
US President Joe Biden praised Al-Kadhimi’s call for calm, restraint, and dialogue.
“I strongly condemn the terrorist attack targeting the residence of Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Kadhimi. I am relieved the Prime Minister was not injured and commend the leadership he has shown in calling for calm, restraint, and dialogue to protect the institutions of the state and strengthen the democracy Iraqis so richly deserve,” Biden said in a written statement.
The Muslim World League also strongly condemned the failed assassination bid against Iraq’s prime minister on Sunday.
“Such terrorist acts that aim to destabilize Iraq, harm its security, and terrorize its people are destined to fail. With God’s help, the great and strong Iraq will continue to defeat such attempts and move forward with achieving progress and prosperity, and strengthening its national cohesion,” the secretary-general of the MWL Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa said.
Al-Issa expressed full support for the Iraqi government and people facing terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations.
He prayed that God protect Iraq from all evil and that security, stability, and prosperity prevailed in the country.
British foreign secretary Liz Truss said in a statement posted on Twitter : “We stand with the Iraqi government, security forces and people in their rejection of political violence and strongly support the Prime Minister’s call for calm and restraint.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi on Sunday he strongly condemned an attack on his home in Baghdad, Johnson’s office said.
“He strongly condemned the attack on the prime minister’s home in Baghdad and offered his sympathies to those injured,” Johnson’s office said following a call between the pair.
“He made clear that the UK stands by the Iraqi people and supports Prime Minister Khadimi’s efforts to form a government following elections, which is vital for the long term stability of Iraq.”
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Nayef Al-Hajraf condemned the attack, saying the bloc considers the security of Iraq as one of the GCC states.
Egypt’s president has also condemned the attempt to assassinate Al-Kadhimi and affirmed his country’s support for Iraq to protect its security and stability. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called “for calm and restraint” among all the parties involved.
