Erbil, Baghdad condemn Iran strikes on KRI
ERBIL, KRI, Iraq (North Press) – Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs “strongly” condemned the rocket attacks launched by the Iranian forces on Wednesday on different areas in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah saying they were “breach of sovereignty.”
On Wednesday morning, Iran carried out a series of rocket, artillery and drone strikes on a number of offices of opposing Kurdish parties in north of Erbil and Sulaymaniyah.
In a statement, the KRG said, “The rocket attack of the Islamic Republic of Iran on opposing posts is by no means a wrong position and misleading course of events and surprising.”
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed the attack saying it is the beginning of a “new era” of its operations against posts, offices and barracks of opposition parties present in the region [KRI].”
As the outcome of the attacks was not revealed by any party, local media outlets said at least five deaths and 15 injuries were reported.
Kurdistan Democratic Party-Iran and Komala Party, two opposition parties, indicated that the Iranian regime tries to avenge against the will of protesting people in whole Iranian cities.
Iran escalated its attacks against Kurdish opposition parties as protests spread to Iranian cities notably the Kurdish ones on the background of the murder of Mahsa Amini two weeks ago.
The IRGC used in its attacks on three posts at least rockets and drones affiliated with the ground forces,” according to the statement.
“We condemn such aggressions on our territories that continue to kill civilians, it should be stopped,” the KRI said in the statement.
In turn Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement: “We condemn in the ‘strongest terms’ the artillery and rocket shelling by Iran.”
According to the Ministry, Iran used in its extensive attacks today “20 drones loaded with explosive weapons” targeted four areas in the KRI and led to deaths and injuries.”
The Ministry said the attack was “a dangerous development that threatens Iraq and its sovereignty that doubles fears and horror to safe civilians.”
Baghdad expressed its rejection to any military options to face the security challenges and that it will resort to diplomacy to prevent the repetition of such acts.
In turn, the IRGC said the operation would continue “firmly” until the threat was lifted and the posts of “terrorist groups” were dismantled, and that authorities of the region bear its commitments and responsibilities.’