Turkey condemns attack on President Barzani’s residence, supports stability in Kurdistan, Iraq

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Monday received a call from Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during which the Turkish leader “strongly condemned” the drone attack on President Barzani’s residence on Saturday and emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

The Kurdistan Region Presidency stated that President Erdogan “strongly condemned the drone strike on President Nechirvan Barzani’s residence in Duhok” and offered “his condolences to President Barzani and the families of the brave Peshmerga who were martyred or injured in recent attacks on the Kurdistan Region.”

President Erdogan further affirmed that “Türkiye places significant value on peace and stability in both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and will support security and stability in the region.”

The statement quoted President Barzani expressing “his gratitude” to the Turkish President for “reaching out and for Türkiye’s friendly stance toward the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.” He also emphasized that “the Kurdistan Region will always uphold peace and will not be part of wars or conflicts.”

The US and Israel on February 28 launched a coordinated military campaign against Iran, with US Central Command (CENTCOM) reporting on Saturday that more than 11,000 targets across Iran have been struck so far.

In response, Tehran has carried out thousands of drone and missile strikes across the Middle East, targeting alleged US assets in the region - particularly in Gulf Arab states - as well as launching retaliatory attacks against Israel.

The Iranian response has also involved Iraqi armed groups aligned with the Tehran-led 'Axis of Resistance,' with several factions claiming responsibility for attacks on purported US targets in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

According to Rudaw tracking, roughly 500 drone and missile attacks have been launched at the Kurdistan Region since late February, including the drone attack on President Barzani's residence in the Region's northern Duhok province on Saturday.

The Kurdish and Turkish Presidents on Monday discussed the regional conflagration and its regional and global repercussions, the presidency statement noted, with both leaders underscoring “the necessity of diplomatic initiatives to halt the conflict and achieve a peaceful resolution to the disputes.”