ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Iraq has condemned a Saturday attack on Peshmerga forces in Duhok blamed on the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) that left five Peshmerga troops dead.
In a statement on Saturday evening, top military spokesperson Yehia Rasool, who speaks on behalf of Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, condemned “the cowardly terrorist attack,” saying security forces are now investigating the incident.
“Every aggressor against the blood and security of Iraqis will receive a fair punishment,” he added.
Iraq’s Ministry of Defense also issued a statement condemning the attack, saying that “Peshmerga forces are an integral part of our armed forces, and any attack on these forces is refused and unacceptable.”
Five Peshmerga died and seven were injured in the attack in Duhok's Amedi district, according to a statement from the Peshmerga ministry. Deputy Peshmerga minister Sarbast Lazgin told Rudaw they fell into a PKK “trap.” The PKK, however, denied the claims, saying they had only fired warning shots to stop Peshmerga forces from nearing their position.
The PKK is an armed group fighting for greater rights for Kurds in Turkey. It has bases in the Kurdistan Region's mountains.
The People's Defence Forces (HPG) command - the PKK’s military wing – claimed the incident was caused by a mine explosion.
“There area is uninhabited and the Peshmerga have not moved in this area for 25 years. Most of the area is under control of the HPG forces and has been mined against the Turkish occupation. Despite the warning shots, an explosion occurred and resulted in unknown casualties in one or two vehicles,” said the statement published by the PKK-affiliated Hawar News Agency.
“We do not want to start an endless internal war,” it added.
The attack was also condemned by Kurdistan Region authorities, including the president and prime minister. The British consul-general also condemned the attack.
It comes as the PKK have been engaged in a weeks-long fight with Turkish forces in the area. Turkey launched twin operations Claw-Lightning and Claw-Thunderbolt against the PKK within the Kurdistan Region’s borders on April 23.
The focus of the operation is within the Metina and Avashin areas of northern Duhok province, which have been regularly bombarded.
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