US State Department offers condolences to victims of Erbil strikes

16-01-2024
Rudaw
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The US State Department on Tuesday offered condolences to the families of the victims of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attack on Erbil, adding that it strongly condemned the “reckless” strikes.

At least five ballistic missiles struck Erbil in the late hours of Monday as the city was shook by sounds of loud bangs and explosions. The IRGC claimed responsibility for the strikes which killed at least four civilians and injured 17 others. Heavy material damages were incurred on residences near Erbil-Pirmam road.

“We strongly condemn Iran’s attacks in Erbil and offer condolences to the families of the victims,” US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller said. 

The youngest victim of the attack was an 11-month-old baby, killed just ten days before her first birthday.

“We remain vigilant and committed to the safety of our personnel and facilities in Iraq,” Miller told Rudaw via email. 

The spokesperson also reiterated that “no impacts” had been sustained by American facilities in the Kurdistan Region nor were any personnel injured. 

Peshraw Dizayee, a well-known Kurdish businessman and the owner of Falcon Group which runs major projects such as Empire World, succumbed to his injuries around 1:00 am on Tuesday after his house was struck by a missile, former deputy speaker of the Kurdistan Region parliament Hemin Hawrami confirmed on X.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani condemned the “cowardly attack” and called on the Iraqi government to take action. The Kurdistan Region Security Council earlier condemned the attacks as “blatant violation” of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region’s sovereignty.

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