Iraq: Baghdad under tension after assassination attempt on Prime Minister
Iraqi security forces are sealing off the "green zone" after an assassination attempt against Prime Minister Moustafa al-Kazimi, Sunday, November 7, 2021 in Baghdad.
AP - Hadi Mizban
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
Is the security situation in Iraq likely to deteriorate following the attempted assassination of the head of government on the night of November 6 to 7?
A few days after three trapped drones attacked the residence of Moustafa al-Kazimi, who escaped unharmed, residents of the capital are still holding their breath.
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With our correspondent in Baghdad,
Lucile Wassermann
The helicopters of the security forces have not stopped flying over the skies of Baghdad since Sunday.
In the Iraqi capital, the streets have even taken on the appearance of front lines.
The large military vehicles of the army are deployed by the dozen in certain streets near the political and diplomatic zone.
The army assures him: the situation is stable this Monday in Baghdad.
On the political side, the time seems rather to restraint.
Statements were much rarer in the aftermath of the attack, which as a reminder has not been claimed.
But behind the scenes, the discussions seem to be going well.
While pro-Tehran militias are suspected of being behind the operation, a senior Iranian general arrived in Baghdad on Sunday evening to meet the Prime Minister and other officials, on the one hand to show a white paw. elsewhere to call for calm.
► Read also: Clashes in Baghdad between security forces and pro-Iran paramilitary groups
Will there then be a follow-up to this attack?
Another assassination attempt, or a response from the government?
Is this the beginning of a descent into hell, or the end?
These are the questions the Iraqis are asking themselves today, anxious to see their country tip over into a new period of instability.
An Iraqi army helicopter flies over the "green zone" a few hours after the attempted assassination of the Prime Minister in Baghdad, Sunday, November 7, 2021. AP - Hadi Mizban
Reaction of the UN Security Council
In a joint statement, the United Nations Security Council condemned on Monday "
as firmly as possible
" the "
assassination attempt
" that targeted Mustafa al-Kazimi, after the latter's residence was targeted by an attack on Sunday. to the trapped drone.
The fifteen member countries of the Council underline "
the need for the authors, organizers, financiers and supporters of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to be held accountable and to be brought to justice
".
They urge "
all states
" to "
actively cooperate with the government of Iraq
" to this end.
Finally, the United Nations Security Council reaffirms its support for "
Iraq's independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, democratic process and prosperity
".
► To read again: The Iraqi Prime Minister victim of an assassination attempt
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Mustafa al-Kazimi
Iraq
Terrorism