Ministry confirms two Iraqis killed in Turkey

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday that two Iraqi nationals were recently killed in southern Turkey.

Iraqi brothers Yousef and Mohammed Rawe were fatally shot by a Turkish citizen in the southern province of Sanliurfa (Riha), Turkish media reported on Thursday. The motive for their killing remains unclear.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry expressed its "deep regret over the unfortunate incident... which resulted in the killing of two members of the honorable Iraqi community following an altercation with a Turkish citizen."

It added that the perpetrator has been arrested and is currently being interrogated. 

The ministry said it is committed "to following up on the case through diplomatic channels and in coordination with the relevant authorities in the Republic of Turkey, in a manner that preserves the rights of Iraqi citizens and maintains their dignity."

Turkish authorities have yet to comment on the incident. 

Turkey is a popular tourism destination for Iraqis.