In an unexpected turn of events after Iraq’s early parliamentary elections last month, the early morning of 7 November saw an unprecedented attack by an explosive-laden drone on the residence of incumbent Iraqi prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. The attack took place within Baghdad’s fortified ‘green zone’, within which such attacks are typically directed at the US embassy. This marks the first time that a sitting Iraqi premier has been targeted, in what is seen as a settling of scores between political actors. Mr Kadhimi was unharmed and appeared on television right after the attack calling for “calm and restraint from everyone, for the sake of Iraq.”