ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) called for an “independent” investigation into the deaths and injuries of Peshmerga, who were in an armored car in a convoy in Duhok province, in an incident widely blamed to be a PKK attack, the group’s affiliated media reported on Sunday. “It is true that our forces there fired warning shots. However, it is certain that no weapon was used by our forces that could have led to unfortunate consequences and destroyed the vehicle in such a way,” the People’s Defence Forces, a military wing of the PKK, known acronymically as the HPG in Kurdish said in a statement on Sunday published by Firat News Agency (ANF), which is affiliated with the group. The HPG said it was very likely the armored car was struck by “a missile from the air.” “It must be clarified how the explosion occurred on the vehicle. As HPG, we believe it is necessary for a joint or independent delegation to investigate and clarify the incident,” the statement read. Five Peshmerga died and seven others were injured in the incident, which occurred on Saturday in Duhok’s Amedi district. Deputy Minister of Peshmerga Sarbast Lazgin blamed the PKK for the incident. The PKK has denied the accusation and said it was possible a mine explosion or an airstrike. However, the PKK confirmed they did fire warning shots. “There area is uninhabited and the Peshmerga have not moved in this area for 25 years. Most of the area is under control of the HPG forces and has been mined against the Turkish occupation. Despite the warning shots, an explosion occurred and resulted in unknown casualties in one or two vehicles,” said a statement published by the PKK-affiliated Hawar News Agency. Peshmerga chief Peshwar Salih, spoke to Rudaw on Saturday lying on a hospital bed, parts of his body and face burnt, “I don’t know what happened. We were in the car, all of a sudden the roof of our car was gone. We didn’t know if it was a plane, a rocket or what it was.” There was a wide range of condemnation by both local and international bodies, including the British and American consulates. The Iraqi and Kurdish presidencies also condemned the act. Iraq in a statement on Sunday said PKK presence in the Region is “unlawful” and the Kurdistan Region said "there should be a limit on such behavior of the PKK in the Region." The Saturday incident comes as the PKK have been engaged in a weeks-long fight with Turkish forces in the area. Turkey launched twin operations Claw-Lightning and Claw-Thunderbolt against the PKK within the Kurdistan Region’s borders on April 23. The focus of the operation is within the Metina and Avashin areas of northern Duhok province, which have been regularly bombarded. Qubad Talabani, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, said in a Facebook statement on Sunday the incident was “tragic” and added “we all have big responsibilities, all of our efforts should be directed at solving [issues] not complicating the situation.” HPG commander Hakayi Armanci said on Sunday the HPG and Peshmerga had not attack each other and stated the allegations were untrue. The PKK is an armed group fighting for greater rights for Kurds in Turkey. It has bases in the Kurdistan Region's mountains.
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