Washington D.C., 10 November 2021, (TDI): US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held a telephonic conversation with the President of Iraq, Barham Salih, today. Blinken exhibited continuous support towards Baghdad following the assassination attempt of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi.
Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi went through an assassination attempt carried out by the terrorists on Sunday. Although the Prime Minister survived the drone attack at his residence, the event gave rise to serious tensions in Baghdad, particularly breaching the security of state officials.
On the delicate occasion, Secretary Blinken reassured Washington’s support to the Iraqi government and strongly condemned the strike. He also noted that the attack has greatly undermined the sovereignty and national security of Iraq.
.@SecBlinken spoke with Iraqi President @BarhamSalih to reaffirm that the United States stands with Iraq in the wake of the terrorist attack on the life of Prime Minister @MAKadhimi. Our partnership with Iraq and the Iraqi people is unshakeable. https://t.co/MeYlnfXFqw
— Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) November 9, 2021
The terrorist attack took place two days after the deadly protests erupted in Baghdad over the results of general elections held last month. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
According to Iraq’s Interior Ministry Spokesman, Saad Maan, the security forces shot down two drones while the third one, filled with explosives, hit the Prime Minister’s residence in Baghdad that occupies foreign embassies and government buildings.
The US State Secretary empathized with Iraqi President Barham Salih and reaffirmed the US support towards Baghdad. During the telephonic conversation, Blinken also commended the bilateral relationship between the two nations.
Washington and Baghdad share a long history of bilateral relations. The United States helped Iraq in fighting terrorism and transitioning from dictatorship towards democracy. It has also provided economic and military assistance to Bagdad over the years.
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