ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – France on Saturday condemned an attack by Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) on Kurdistan Region Peshmerga last week. "France strongly condemns the attacks carried out in recent days in the governorate of Dohuk against the security forces of the autonomous region of Kurdistan, which have claimed several victims in their ranks," reads a statement from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs published on their website. France also offered their condolences to the family of the deceased and expressed sympathy to the families of the injured. One Peshmerga was killed and two were injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in northern Duhok province. The PKK claimed responsibility for planting the IED, saying it was a warning to stop Peshmerga forces from trying to enter their camps. "The Kurdish forces are, along with the Iraqi federal security forces, our partners in the fight against Daesh. France condemns these actions against them, as well as the attacks of any kind against the sovereignty and integrity of Iraq and the stability of the autonomous region of Kurdistan." read the statement by the French ministry. The United States also condemned the attack on Thursday, saying "we remain steadfast in our support for Iraqi Prime Minister Kadhimi and the Kurdistan Regional Government in their efforts to root out terrorism." "France recalls in this regard that the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) is considered by the European Union as a terrorist organization," the statement added. The PKK has waged an armed struggle against the Turkish state since 1984. This comes after the PKK issued a statement from their press office on Saturday denying that the incident was an “attack,” expressing regret for the escalation in tensions. The KDP – Kurdistan Democratic Party – is the ruling party in Duhok province. The incident has sparked fears of a civil war, though both sides have called for restraint. In a statement condemning the incident, the Kurdistan Region Presidency called for a solution “away from civil war.” Senior PKK executive Murat Karayilan earlier said that “to start an inter-Kurdish war is not what we want.” Turkish armed forces frequently pursue the PKK across the border and this summer carried out an air and ground campaign that came closer than ever to heavily populated areas of the Kurdistan Region. According to a parliamentary report published in September, 504 villages have been emptied by residents fleeing fighting between Turkey and the PKK since 1992.
