ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — A shooting occurred at a restaurant in Erbil around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, killing one employee from the Turkish Consulate General to Erbil. A Kurdish citizen from the Iraqi Kurdistan Region was also confirmed killed by the Kurdistan Region's security (Asayesh), while another was injured.
"This afternoon (17 July 2019), an official of our Consulate General in Erbil has been martyred as a result of a heinous attack, while he was outside of our Consulate compound," read a statement from the Turkish foreign ministry.
Ankara extended its condolences to the victim's family and the "Turkish Nation."
"We have requested the Iraqi and regional authorities to find the perpetrators of the attack swiftly," the ministry added.
Ibrahim Kalin, the spokesperson for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, vowed a response for those accountable.
"I wish Allah's mercy to our consular employee who lost his life in the heinous attack in Erbil and I express my condolences to his relatives. Searches have already started to find the perpetrators. The perpetrators of this treacherous attack will be given necessary response," he tweeted.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the attack.
"I condemn the heinous attack against those working our consulate in Erbil," he tweeted.
"We are continuing our efforts with the Iraqi authorities and local authorities to ensure the perpetrators of the attack are quickly found," he added.
Kurdistan Region security (Asayesh) confirmed in a statement that one employee of the Turkish Consulate General to Erbil was killed on Wednesday. Also, a citizen from the Kurdistan Region was killed and another reported wounded.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Directorate of Asayesh condemned the shooting, vowed to launch an investigation, and offered condolences and assistance to Turkish authorities.
"We condemn in the strongest terms the shooting in a restaurant in Erbil today, which led to the deaths of a Turkish diplomat and a civilian, and injured one other," read an Asayesh statement.
"The government has launched a full investigation and contacted senior Turkish diplomats to offer condolences and provide assistance," it continued.
The local authorities also promised to take necessary steps to ensure public safety.
"We assure our citizens and foreign diplomats in particular that all necessary precautions will be taken to ensure the safety and security of the Kurdistan Region and its peoples," the Asayesh statement added.
In a statement, the KRG condemned the attack.
“We strongly condemn the criminal act committed this afternoon in one of the restaurants in Erbil, resulting in the death of one of the personnel of Turkish Consulate and a civilian and the injury of another civilian,” the statement read.
“We express our condolences to the families of the victims and share their concerns. We also assure everyone that Kurdistan Region’s relevant authorities are investigating seriously to find the perpetrators and legally punish them.”
“We will never allow Kurdistan Region’s peace and security to be harmed,” it added.
Blood drops are visible on a vehicle at the scene of the shooting on July 17, 2019. Photo: Rudaw
No further identifying details were immediately provided.
In a separate statement, Nechirvan Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Region, said his administration “strongly condemns the cowardly crime” against the Turkish diplomat and two locals.
He sent his condolences to the families of those killed and wished the injured man a “speedy recovery”.
“We will not let the Kurdistan Region’s security to be harmed, and investigations are ongoing to arrest the criminals until they are found and punished.”
Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkey’s foreign minister, told journalists in Ankara on Wednesday afternoon: “One of our friends on duty from the Consulate General in Erbil was attacked and martyred by three people while having his meal at a restaurant. Rest in peace.”
“The attackers also attacked two Iraqis – one died and the other severely injured. We are in contact with both Baghdad and Erbil. We contacted and are contacting with Masrour [Barzani] and Nechirvan Barzani,” he said.
Cavusoglu said he also spoke with the Iraqi foreign minister who is currently in Washington, while Turkish officials coordinate with authorities “to arrest the attackers and find details on what is behind it”.
“If necessary, we will send a delegation. We have to bring back our dead bodies.”
Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, also issued a statement saying: “We condemn in the strongest possible terms today’s attack in Erbil, where at least one Turkish diplomat was murdered. There can be no justification for such acts of wanton violence.”
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and hope for a speedy recovery of any wounded.”
“The US reaffirms its commitment to support the government and people of Turkey and Iraq,” Pompeo added.
The upmarket area is located on Airport Road between the Dream City and Empire neighborhoods in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region's capital city.
The incident occurred at a restaurant near Airport Road in a western neighborhood in Erbil, the capital of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Image: Google Maps
Security and emergency officials are responding to the incident. The scene is on lockdown and people are being told to avoid the area.
While investigations are underway, media and other non-essential personnel were requested to leave the area.
This is a developing story... Update: 8:58 p.m.
Reporting by Sangar Abdulrahman; Translation by Karwan Faidhi Dri and Lawk Ghafuri
