French Prime Minister Jean Castex (right) poses with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi before their talks on Monday in Paris. Mustafa al-Kadhimi will later meet with French President. The two sides will talk about issues including Iraq's economy, security and healthcare system. Photo: AFP

A drone laden with explosives targeted the residence of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi in Baghdad early on Sunday in what the Iraqi military called an attempted assassination, but said Kadhimi escaped unhurt.

The attack, which security sources said injured several members of Kadhimi's personal protection detail, came after protests in the Iraqi capital over the result of a general election in October turned violent.

The US Department of State condemned the attack and offered assistance with the investigation.

"This apparent act of terrorism, which we strongly condemn, was directed at the heart of the Iraqi state," spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement. 

The groups leading protests and complaints about the result of the October 10 vote are heavily armed Iran-backed militias which lost much of their parliamentary power in the election. They have alleged voting and vote-counting irregularities.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack on Kadhimi's residence in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, which houses government buildings and foreign embassies.

A statement from the Iraqi military said that the attack targeted Kadhimi's residence and that he was in "good health." It provided no further detail.

Kadhimi's official Twitter account said the prime minister was safe and called for calm.

Two government officials said Kadhimi's residence had been hit by at least one explosion and confirmed to Reuters that the prime minister was safe.

Security sources told Reuters that six members of Kadhimi's personal protection force stationed outside his residence had been injured.

Western diplomats based nearby in the Green Zone said they heard explosions and gunfire in the area.

Supporters of Iran-aligned militia groups which have grown their power in parliament and government in recent years have protested the results of the October election.

Demonstrations by their supporters turned violent on Friday when protestors pelted police with stones near the Green Zone, injuring several officers.

Reuters