Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has survived an assassination attempt after drones laden with explosives targeted his residence in the capital, Baghdad.

The incident raises tension in the country weeks after a general election disputed by Iran-backed militia groups.

Al-Kadhimi escaped unhurt, but security sources told Reuters news agency that at least six members of the prime minister’s personal protection force were wounded in Sunday’s attack.

Interior Ministry spokesman Saad Maan told state television al-Iraqiya that security forces in the area shot down two drones while the third managed to hit al-Kadhimi’s residence in Baghdad’s Green Zone, which houses government buildings and foreign embassies. He added without giving details:

Al-Kadhimi was not harmed, while some people in the house suffered injuries. They are receiving treatment,” the official added without giving details.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for Sunday’s attack.

Al-Kadhimi appealed for calm and restraint in a post on Twitter saying: “I’m doing fine, praise be to God, and I call for calm and restraint on the part of everyone for the good of Iraq.”

He later appeared on Iraqi television where he said rocket and drone attacks don’t build homelands and don’t build a future.

Iraqi President Barham Salih called the attack a “terrorist aggression” and a “heinous crime” against Iraq.

Source: Al Jazeera