Iraqi Prime Minister Says There Was Assassination Attempt Planned Against Him

Iraq’s political situation was in limbo for nearly five months until former Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi stepped down last November following mass nationwide protests against corruption and worsening living conditions.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi announced he has received information from the security forces about an assassination attempt planned against him.

The prime minister described the information as intimidation and blackmail. According to al-Casemi, he intends to "work for Iraq until the last breath".

On 9 April, President Barham Salih appointed chief of the Intelligence Service Mustafa al-Kadhimi as prime minister and mandated him to form a government. On 7 May, the Iraqi parliament approved the cabinet proposed by al-Kadhimi, although several proposed ministerial candidates were rejected.

Al-Kadhimi replaced former Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, who resigned late last year amid nationwide anti-government protests that saw scores of protesters killed. Nonetheless, al-Kadhimi's choices for trade, agriculture, and justice ministers were rejected in May by the legislative body, while voting on oil and foreign ministers were delayed.