Missile attacks hit Erbil directed from the “east”
ERBIL, KRG, Iraq (North Press) – The attack on Erbil city was carried out with long-range ballistic missiles directed “specifically” from the east outside the borders of Iraqi and the Kurdistan Region, the Ministry of Interior on Kurdistan Region of Iraq said in a statement on Sunday.
The statement said the missiles were launched at 1:00 am and directed against the new US Consulate in Erbil and the surrounding residential areas.
The attack caused material damage in the buildings and houses but no casualties were reported. Only one civilian had minor injuries, the statement said.
The police and the Asayish soon started investigation and said the outcomes would be published on public later.
The Kurdistan’s Counter Terrorism Department released a statement conveying the same information published by the Ministry of Interior.
Large security forces were deployed in the vicinity of the US Consulate and around state media channels.
Several civilians’ houses in the two northern villages of Mella Omar and Pirzin as well as some other buildings on Erbil-Saladin Summer Resort had material damage, an eyewitness from Mella Omar told North Press.
The attacks caused panic to the residents of Erbil.
“The aggression which targeted the dear city of Erbil and spread fear amongst its inhabitants is an attack on the security of our people,” Iraqi PM Mustafa al-Kadhimi tweeted.
“I discussed these developments with the KRG PM. Our security forces will investigate and stand firm against any threats towards our people,” the tweet added.
In turn, PM of Kurdistan Masrour Barzani tweeted “Erbil will stand strong against cowardly attacks.
“I strongly condemn the terrorist attack on Erbil and call on its resilient people to keep calm and follow the guidance of the security services –mb,” the tweet added.
Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of the Sadrist Movement, tweeted “Erbil is under the fire of loss and betrayal, and under pain of starvation, as if the Kurds were not Iraqis.”
Reuters quoted an American official in regard to the attack as saying “there are no casualties in the US troops.”
The Iraqi Security Media Cell said the security forces will open an investigation to this “unjustified work which is destined to failure and the perpetrators will face a just trial.
The administration of Erbil International Airport, which was hit by missiles last year, said that the flights are ongoing since the airport has got no damages.