Iran Quds Force chief arrives in Baghdad following assassination attempt on Iraqi PM

A high ranking commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps arrived at the Iraqi capital Sunday evening, hours after an assassination attempt on the country's prime minister
2 min read
08 November, 2021
Qaani's meetings with pro-Iranian militia leaders were reportedly tense [Getty]

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Brig. Gen. Esmail Qaani met with Iranian-backed militias and officials in Iraq hours after an alleged assassination attempt targeted Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi.

Qaani, the commander of the IRGC’s Quds Force, arrived at Baghdad on Sunday night, according to local Iraqi media.

His visit aims to ease tensions between armed factions and Kadhemi, according to local sources, which reported that his meetings with the heads of militias were tense.

No further details were made available.

Iran supports several Shia militias in the country, namely the Iran Hashed al-Shaabi – or Popular Mobilisation Forces - paramilitary network.

Al-Kadhemi said on Sunday that those behind an attempt on his life were well known and would be exposed.

The premier escaped unhurt from an "assassination attempt" in which an explosives-packed drone hit his Baghdad residence in the very early hours of Sunday, marking a new escalation in the country's post-election turmoil.

His home is located in the Iraqi capital’s heavily fortified Green Zone.

The attack came two days after security forces clashed with supporters of Iran-backed parties that lost support in the October 10 parliamentary election.

The Conquest (Fatah) Alliance - the political arm of Hashed al-Shaabi - suffered a substantial decline in seats, leading it to denounce the outcome as "fraud".

Baghdad has denied these allegations, and recounting was finalised over the weekend.