Assassination attempt on Iraqi PM

An explosion in the protected Green Zone area located in the center of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad was allegedly an assassination attempt on the country’s Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, according to a military representative.

Qassim al-Moussawi announced on Friday that the plotter managed to get a vehicle laden with around 20 kilograms of explosives into the Green Zone, then attempted to join a fleet of other vehicles into the parliamentary area. However, he was stopped at the checkpoint as he didn’t have proper authority. He then drove to the parking lot and the car exploded.

Officials were uncertain of the cause of the explosion at the time of the attack, but the update came after a member of an extremist group confessed to the event.

The Green Zone is regarded as the most secure area in the country, housing the United States Embassy and the Iraqi parliament and homes of government officials.

The incident raises grave concerns about the state of Iraq’s security as the US withdraw its troops from the country.

"The security violations still exist, whether the US forces are in Iraq or after they leave. I think the security violations still exist and there are political blocs behind such violations. It is impossible for a car to enter easily to such a fortified area (i.e. the Green Zone)," said Adel Abbas, a resident of Baghdad.

Speaker:

Adel Abbas - Baghdad resident