Kurdistan
Logo of Kurdistan Region Presidency, aftermath of the IRGC missile attack in Erbil on January 16, 2024. Graphic: Rudaw, Photo: Bilind T. Abdullah/Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region Presidency on Tuesday condemned “in the strongest terms” Iran’s attack on the Region’s capital of Erbil the previous night, adding that Tehran’s justification is “completely false and unfounded.”
In the late hours of Monday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched 10 ballistic missiles toward the Kurdistan Region’s capital Erbil, under the pretext of targeting “spy headquarters” of anti-Iran groups, killing at least four and wounding 17 others.
“We condemn in the strongest terms last night’s ballistic missile attack carried out by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards on Erbil. This attack has resulted in the tragic loss of innocent lives and injuries to many civilians,” read a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency, extending condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a swift recovery of the injured.
“The continuous targeting of the Kurdistan Region and the tragic loss of civilian lives is an unjustifiable crime that goes against international law, the principles of neighborliness, and human values,” continued the statement, adding that the attack represents “a blatant violation of Iraq’s sovereignty, peace, and stability.”
The Kurdistan Region Presidency labeled the IRGC’s justification of the attack as “completely false and unfounded,” urging the Iraqi federal government to initiate investigations and “fulfill its responsibility to protect the Kurdistan Region.”
Nasser Kanaani, the spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry said on Tuesday that the IRGC attack on Erbil was in line with “Tehran's defense of its sovereignty, security, and "combating terrorism," and a part of Iran's punishment of "those who pose a threat" to its security.”
Kurdish and Iraqi officials condemned the IRGC attack on the Kurdistan Region’s capital.
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani condemned in the strongest terms the "cowardly attack on the people of the Kurdistan Region,” urging the Iraqi federal government to “take a principled position against the flagrant violation of Iraq’s and the Kurdistan Region’s sovereignty.”
The Iraqi foreign ministry announced earlier that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani ordered the formation of a security committee to investigate the incident and “support the [Iraqi] government’s stance internationally.”
The foreign ministry later announced on Tuesday that it had summoned the Iranian chargé d’affaires in Baghdad, handing him a “protest note” condemning the attack. Hours later the ministry announced summoning its ambassador to Tehran for “consultations” in light of the attack on Erbil.
In the late hours of Monday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched 10 ballistic missiles toward the Kurdistan Region’s capital Erbil, under the pretext of targeting “spy headquarters” of anti-Iran groups, killing at least four and wounding 17 others.
“We condemn in the strongest terms last night’s ballistic missile attack carried out by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards on Erbil. This attack has resulted in the tragic loss of innocent lives and injuries to many civilians,” read a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency, extending condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a swift recovery of the injured.
“The continuous targeting of the Kurdistan Region and the tragic loss of civilian lives is an unjustifiable crime that goes against international law, the principles of neighborliness, and human values,” continued the statement, adding that the attack represents “a blatant violation of Iraq’s sovereignty, peace, and stability.”
The Kurdistan Region Presidency labeled the IRGC’s justification of the attack as “completely false and unfounded,” urging the Iraqi federal government to initiate investigations and “fulfill its responsibility to protect the Kurdistan Region.”
Nasser Kanaani, the spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry said on Tuesday that the IRGC attack on Erbil was in line with “Tehran's defense of its sovereignty, security, and "combating terrorism," and a part of Iran's punishment of "those who pose a threat" to its security.”
Kurdish and Iraqi officials condemned the IRGC attack on the Kurdistan Region’s capital.
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani condemned in the strongest terms the "cowardly attack on the people of the Kurdistan Region,” urging the Iraqi federal government to “take a principled position against the flagrant violation of Iraq’s and the Kurdistan Region’s sovereignty.”
The Iraqi foreign ministry announced earlier that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani ordered the formation of a security committee to investigate the incident and “support the [Iraqi] government’s stance internationally.”
The foreign ministry later announced on Tuesday that it had summoned the Iranian chargé d’affaires in Baghdad, handing him a “protest note” condemning the attack. Hours later the ministry announced summoning its ambassador to Tehran for “consultations” in light of the attack on Erbil.
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