Missile attack targets Green Zone in central Baghdad

At least nine Katyusha rockets landed in the heavily fortified Green Zone of Baghdad on Thursday, just as a crucial parliament session was about to begin to elect Iraq’s new president.

According to local sources, several civilians and members of the security forces were injured in the attack.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

The attack comes as Iraqi parliament has begun a secret vote to choose the President of the Republic.

Meanwhile, Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has condemned the attack in a statement on Twitter.

“While we support the completion of the constitutional deadlines to end the political crisis, we affirm our directives to the leaders of the security services to secure the full and necessary protection for the parliament session, and we categorically reject any attempt to obstruct the democratic process,” al-Kadhimi said. (ILKHA)