An explosives-laden drone attacked the residence of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi in Baghdad early Sunday in what Iraqi security officials said was an assassination attempt, marking an escalation of tensions between the country’s government and Iran-backed militia groups.

Iran-backed paramilitary groups have turned to drones in a series of attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria in recent months, prompting the U.S. military to shore up protective measures on its bases.

A statement from the Iraqi security forces called the incident “a failed assassination attempt against the prime minister and commander-in-chief by a booby-trapped drone.”

A senior official in the Iraqi interior ministry, Maj. Gen. Saad Maan, initially said that three drones attacked the prime minister’s office, but clarified later on Sunday that only two drones were involved in the attack.

The State Department condemned the attack on Mr. Kadhimi’s residence, saying the U.S. stands with the government and people of Iraq.

Mr. Sadr condemned the attack on the prime minister’s residence, calling it a terrorist attack.

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