ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United States and six Gulf and Middle Eastern allies issued a joint statement late Sunday condemning recent missile and drone strikes launched by Iran across the region, including in the Kurdistan Region.
The statement, released by the US Department of State Office of the Spokesperson, was jointly issued by the governments of the United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
It said the states "strongly condemn the Islamic Republic of Iran’s indiscriminate and reckless missile and drone attacks against sovereign territories across the region, including Bahrain, Iraq - including the Iraqi Kurdistan Region - Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates."
Following the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, Erbil, which houses the US Consulate, was struck by multiple drone and rocket attacks, with air defense systems actively intercepting the incoming threats over the city.
Iraq’s pro-Iran Saraya Awliya al-Dam militia claimed late Sunday that it targeted a US base in Erbil with drones and rockets. Footage obtained by Rudaw showed several of the projectiles being intercepted in the city’s skies.
"These unjustified strikes targeted sovereign territory, endangered civilian populations, and damaged civilian infrastructure,” it added.
The statement added that Iran’s attacks “represent a dangerous escalation that violates the sovereignty of multiple states and threatens regional stability. The targeting of civilians and of countries not engaged in hostilities is reckless and destabilizing behavior.”
The coalition stressed its commitment to protecting its citizens and territories, saying, “We stand united in defense of our citizens, sovereignty, and territory, and reaffirm our right to self-defense in the face of these attacks."
"We remain committed to regional security and commend the effective air and missile defense cooperation that has prevented far greater loss of life and destruction,” read the statement.
The Iranian attacks came hours after the United States and Israeli forces carried out airstrikes across multiple Iranian targets on Saturday. Iranian state media confirmed that the strikes resulted in the deaths of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Mohammad Pakpour, and the head of Iran’s Defense Council, Ali Shamkhani.
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