Iraqi foreign ministry condemns drone attack in Shingal

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s foreign ministry on Friday condemned the recent drone attack in Shingal, calling it a “flagrant violation” of the country’s sovereignty and vowing to take measures to address the incident.

A suspected Turkish drone on Wednesday targeted the headquarters of Shingal Resistance Units (YBS) in Snune sub-district, killing at least one person, 12-year-old Salah Nassir. The attack on the child drew criticism and condemnation from both Iraq and the international community, including the non-profit organization Nadia's Initiative, headed by Yazidi survivor Nadia Murad.

Today, Sinjar once again fell prey to Turkish airstrikes, which took the life of a 12 year old boy and critically wounded several others, including the boy's brothers. In an act of terrorism, this innocent child had his future stolen from him while sitting in his father's shop. pic.twitter.com/XfVBwUFDMc

— Nadia's Initiative (@nadiainitiative) June 15, 2022

Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Friday that they condemned “in the strongest terms” the Turkish bombardment that targeted a number of civilians.

“This attack is a threat to the security of Iraq and the stability of its people, and requires a unified position to confront it, by standing firm against any act aimed at spreading chaos” the statement from the ministry, vowing that the ministry “will take the prescribed measures after completing the necessary investigations into this attack.”

Ankara occasionally carries out such attacks against the YBS in Shingal where several armed forces affiliated with the Iraqi government, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) are present.

Influential Iraqi politician and former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki on Thursday criticized the continuous Turkish incursions in the Kurdistan Region, stating that it will harm relations between Baghdad and Ankara.

The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Doctors without Borders (MSF), the French Embassy in Iraq, and the United States State Department condemned the attack on Shingal and extended their condolences to Nasir’s family and the rest of the victims.

Troubled and saddened by reports of Yezidi civilian casualties in Sinjar, Iraq, including the death of 12-year-old Salah Nassir. Our condolences to the victims & their loved ones. Yezidis have been subjected to much violence and, like all people, deserve to live in peace.

— U.S. State Dept - Near Eastern Affairs (@StateDept_NEA) June 16, 2022

According to MSF, medical staff at Snune General Hospital received seven critically injured patients, including a child who they did not manage to save. “The other six injured patients were stabilized, and three were referred to other medical facilities where they could benefit from more advanced care,” they said in a statement.

Turkey considers the YBS to be an offshoot of the PKK, an armed group fighting for the enhanced rights of Kurds in Turkey. The PKK is designated a terrorist organization by Ankara, which carries out regular military campaigns against the group at home and in northern Iraq, including in the Kurdistan Region.

A Turkish drone targeted a car carrying alleged members of the PKK on Friday, killing at least four in Garmiyan administration’s town of Kalar, according to the Kurdistan Region’s counter-terrorism directorate.