Under the title "Sources to Al-Arabiya: Three Individuals Identified in the Attempted Assassination of Al-Kadhimi," Al-Arabiya's website reported that investigations are ongoing regarding the assassination attempt on Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, who was targeted in his home by explosive-laden drones. Sources for Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath revealed on Monday evening that three figures from armed militias are behind the assassination attempt.
Additionally, security officials and sources close to Iraqi armed factions stated that the attack was carried out by a group backed by Iran. Earlier today, sources told Reuters, under the condition of anonymity, that the drones and explosives used in the attack were of Iranian manufacture. Two Iraqi security officials and three sources close to the “loyal” factions (locally described as pro-Iran) clarified that at least one of those groups perpetrated the attack, although they provided slightly differing assessments regarding which factions specifically were involved.
### Involvement of Hezbollah
The officials also noted that Kata'ib Hezbollah and Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq executed the attack together. However, a source from the armed group indicated that Kata'ib Hezbollah was involved but did not confirm the participation of Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq. Al-Kadhimi confirmed in a speech last night during a government session that security forces "know the perpetrators of the assassination attempt and will reveal them." He emphasized that his home was targeted directly by explosive-laden drones.
The Cabinet stated that the attack was carried out by "criminal armed groups, who misinterpreted the restraint and high professionalism exhibited by the security and military forces as weakness; thus, they transgressed against the state and its symbols, and moved to explicitly threaten the commander-in-chief."
### Three Drones
It is worth noting that three drones targeted the Prime Minister's residence in the heavily fortified Green Zone at dawn on Sunday, which houses foreign embassies and consulates, in addition to official institutions. Security forces successfully intercepted two of the drones, but the third managed to strike Al-Kadhimi's compound.
This attack followed a campaign of incitement and agitation launched by Iran-aligned factions within the Popular Mobilization Forces against Al-Kadhimi, stemming from clashes that occurred between security forces and his supporters who gathered and demonstrated in the vicinity of the Green Zone on Friday and Saturday, resulting in the death of one of the leaders of those factions. Subsequently, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq and Kata'ib Hezbollah accused the Prime Minister of ordering security forces to open fire with live ammunition, threatening him with consequences.
However, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq's Secretary-General, Qais al-Khazali, condemned the attack on Al-Kadhimi's home yesterday, "if it was intended," in his words, while Kata'ib Hezbollah mocked the attack, claiming it was fabricated and stating that "no one from the factions is prepared to lose a fight against a former prime minister."
