BAGHDAD (Dispatches) -- Iraq’s Al-Nujaba Movement said Monday all indications suggest that the United States has a hand in the botched assassination attempt against Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi whose residence was targeted by an explosives-laden drone in the capital, calling for the expulsion of the American ambassador from the country.
Sheikh Ali al-Asadi, the head of the political council of the Iraqi resistance movement, called the attack an attempt to plunge Iraq into an abyss of internal strife, which could have dangerous consequences.
“All evidence and signs indicate that the American embassy is involved in the incident,” he added, noting that the diplomatic mission did not take any measures in order to repel the attack despite the fact that it is equipped with a C-RAM air defense system.
Asadi called for the formation of impartial committees to help identify and prosecute those responsible for the failed attempt to prevent manipulation of criminal evidence.
“If the evil American embassy is found responsible for the attack, the seditionist U.S. ambassador [Matthew H. Tueller] must then be expelled from Iraq,” he said.
The spokesman for the Iraqi Joint Operations Command has already raised questions about the deactivation of the U.S. military’s C-RAM systems used to detect and destroy incoming rockets and flying objects.
“We are currently discussing the matter with the American side and officials from the US embassy. This is an issue that experts should throw light on and explain,” Major General Tahsin al-Khafaji said on Sunday.
A statement released by the Security Media Cell, affiliated with the Iraqi prime minister’s office, said Kadhimi was subjected to a failed assassination attempt with a booby-trapped drone early Sunday.
The statement said the drone attack targeted his residence, but the Iraqi prime minister was “unharmed” and is “in good health.”
On Monday, the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)’s Quds Force stressed the need to maintain stability and unity in Iraq as he paid a surprise visit to the Arab country.
According to Lebanon’s Al-Mayadeen news network, the visit took place on Sunday, during which Brigadier General Esmaeil Qa’ani met with Prime Minister Kadhimi, President Barham Salih, a number of Iraqi ministers and other high-ranking political officials and dignitaries.
In his meetings, the IRGC commander said Iraq needs to boost stability and maintain national unity. Qa’ani also stressed the importance of avoiding any action that would threaten Iraq’s security.
The Quds Force commander further stressed the need for addressing the demands of Iraqi people and those protesting the results of the country’s recent parliamentary vote.
He called for the restoration of calm to Iraq after tensions in the country’s political arena due to the refusal of some political blocs to recognize the results of the October parliamentary elections and the ensuing protests that resulted in casualties.