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Kurdistan
KRG logo (front). Iranian missiles target the KDPI headquarters near Koya (bavkground) on November 21, 2022. Graphic: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on Monday slammed Iran’s latest drone and missile attack on exiled Kurdish opposition groups based in the Kurdistan Region, calling on international allies to have a clear stance.
“Iran’s repeated violations of the sovereignty of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region are inexcusable and a gross infringement of international law and neighborly relations,” read the statement from the KRG.
The KRG further called on Iran to put an end to its wave of attacks on the Kurdistan Region, saying that “stability will never be achieved through violence.”
The statement comes after several drones and missiles were launched from the Hamza Sayyid al-Shuhada base of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in charge of parts of the Kurdish areas of Iran, in the early hours of Monday, targeting bases of exiled Kurdish opposition groups.
One member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) was killed in the attacks.
“The KRG calls on its friends and partners in Baghdad, the United Nations, and the international community to take a clear and principled position on Iran’s continued aggression,” the KRG said.
Iran’s Monday attacks were also slammed by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), and representatives of European countries in Erbil.
“Repeated attacks, violating Iraqi sovereignty, must cease. Such aggression not only recklessly heightens tensions but also causes tragedy. Whatever external score a neighbouring country is seeking to settle, the use of established diplomatic instruments is the only way forward,” read a tweet from UNAMI.
The German, Dutch, and British consulates in Erbil also expressed their condemnations of the strikes
The KDPI called on the international community to help put a stop to Iran’s aggression as well.Once again, residents of the #KRI face missile and drone strikes by the IRGC. Since September, these attacks have killed at least 12 people and injured and displaced many more. The UK stands with the KRI in the face of this aggression. Our message is clear: stop pic.twitter.com/a6ayC3h8Db
— UK in Erbil (@ukinerbil) November 21, 2022
“We condemn these latest attacks in the strongest terms. We call upon the international community, democratic governments, NGOs and human rights activists to support of the Kurdish people. We call on the international community to hold the Iranian regime accountable for these attacks,” read a statement from the KDPI.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) defined the attacks as “indiscriminate” and “illegal”.
The attacks came after IRGC’s Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani last week threatened of ground operations by Iran against opposition parties taking shelter inside Iraqi land; however the attacks are not unprecedented.
At least four missiles targeted the headquarters of the KDPI near Koya last Monday, killing at least two and injuring eight others.
The IRGC struck bases of exiled Kurdish opposition groups in Kurdistan Region late September, killing at least 16 and injuring 50 others.
Iran’s attacks on neighboring Kurdistan Region come as the regime is facing both international and internal pressure over its violent crackdown on the protests sparked by the controversial death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini on September 16, while in police custody.
Iranian authorities accuse Kurdish opposition parties of arming the protesters.
The number of protesters killed across the country as of Monday morning stood at 419, including 60 children and teenagers, according to a tally provided by US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
At least six people are reported to have been killed in protests across Kurdish areas in Iran on Sunday.
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