Iran-backed militia staged drone attack on Iraqi PM - officials

FILE PHOTO: Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi attends a summit meeting in Baghdad, Iraq, August 28, 2021. Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A drone attack that targeted the Iraqi prime minister on Sunday was carried out by at least one Iran-backed militia, Iraqi security officials and militia sources said, weeks after pro-Iran groups were routed in elections they say were rigged.

But the neighbouring Islamic Republic is unlikely to have sanctioned the attack as Tehran is keen to avoid a spiral of violence on its western border, the sources and independent analysts said.