Russia condemns the terrorist attack on Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and is ready to strengthen cooperation with Baghdad in the fight against terrorism, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Monday.
"We resolutely condemn this audacious terrorist attack that was aimed at undermining security and stability in friendly Iraq. We confirm readiness to strengthen practical cooperation with Iraqi partners in the fight against terrorism," reads the commentary.
The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry also called on the leading political forces of Iraq to show restraint and search for mutually acceptable solutions to the problems, which have become more acute after the elections of October 10. "We are counting on the soonest agreement on the formation of a new capable government, which will be supported by all the main political parties and ethnic and religious groups of Iraq," she summarized.
Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein informed Russian Presidential Special Representative for the Middle East and African countries and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov by telephone about the assassination attempt on al-Kadhimi, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a report following the November 7 conversation.
"During the conversation, Hussein shared information about an assassination attempt on Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi by drone strikes on his residence located in the "green zone" of Baghdad. The Russian side reaffirmed its solidarity with the leadership and people of Iraq in the fight against terrorism, and noted the importance of uniting Iraqi society in opposing any attempts to destabilize the situation in the country," the document said.
The sides also discussed a number of topical issues on the agenda of the Russian-Iraqi commission on trade, economic and scientific-technical cooperation, the Iraqi part of which is headed by Hussein.
The discussion was initiated by the Iraqi side.
About the assassination attempt
The assassination attempt on the Iraqi prime minister was carried out on Sunday night. Al-Kadhimi's residence, located in Baghdad's heavily fortified green zone, where foreign embassies and government offices are located, was attacked by armed drones. The prime minister was not hurt, as he himself reported on Twitter.
According to the Al Arabiya TV channel, the drones were sent from the territory of the northern suburban area of the Iraqi capital, about ten kilometers from the "green zone". The attack injured at least seven people.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS