Explosion hits Kurdish refugee camp in Makhmur, casualties reported
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – A bomb attack has targeted a Kurdish refugee camp in Makhmur, southwest of Erbil, on Wednesday evening. A “large number” of casualties are reported.
Three people have been killed and seven injured, according to initial reports from medical officials.
The explosion damaged parts of the camp and resulted in a “large number” of casualties, Rizgar Mustafa, the Makhmur mayor told Rudaw. He also said the camp center has been damaged.
Three people have been killed and seven injured, according to initial reports from medical officials.
Four of the injured were taken to the Rojawa hospital in Erbil, one of them later died from his wounds, Fakhr Kurmanci, the spokesperson of Erbil health department told Rudaw.
It was initially reported that the explosion was a car bombing, but the mayor said they do not yet know the cause of the explosion. He said an investigation has been opened.
It was initially reported that the explosion was a car bombing, but the mayor said they do not yet know the cause of the explosion. He said an investigation has been opened.
The target was an outpost guarded by fighters of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) at the gate of the camp, Rashad Galali, an official from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Makhmur, told Rudaw.
The PKK is an armed Kurdish group that has waged a three-decade long insurgency against the Turkish state. Turkey, the United States, and Europe regard the PKK as a terrorist organization.
The Kurdish residents of the camp largely fled Turkey in the 1990s.
The PKK is an armed Kurdish group that has waged a three-decade long insurgency against the Turkish state. Turkey, the United States, and Europe regard the PKK as a terrorist organization.
The Kurdish residents of the camp largely fled Turkey in the 1990s.
More than 12,000 Kurdish refugees from Turkey are living in the camp.
last updated at 11:29 p.m.
last updated at 11:29 p.m.