The aftermath of the attacks targeting KDPI bases near Koya on November 14, 2022. Photo: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - At least four missiles targeted the headquarters of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) near Koya on Monday morning, nearly two months since the deadly Iranian strikes on Kurdish opposition parties in the same town.
“The bombardment began at 8:49 this morning, and until this moment, four missiles have struck,” Koya’s mayor Tariq Haydari told Rudaw on Monday, adding that the extent of material and immaterial damages remain unclear.
Saman Barzinji, the Kurdistan Region’s health minister, told Rudaw that at least one person has been killed and eight others have been wounded so far as a result of the attacks.
Osman Khalili, a senior member of Komala, told Rudaw that at least four drones targeted bases of the armed group in Sulaimani’s Zargwez.
Unfortunately, a number of #Peshmergas have being wounded in this morning's attack by the terrorist Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on our party's headquarters and adjacent refugee camps.#URGENT #JinaAmini #KoyaAttack #twitterkurds pic.twitter.com/N3Wd2cCu5s
— PDKI (@PDKIenglish) November 14, 2022
The KDPI confirmed through their Farsi Twitter account that one of their Peshmerga, Rebwar Abdi from Saqqez, was killed as a result of Monday’s missile attacks. Mohammed Salih Qadiri, the KDPI’s representative in Erbil, told Rudaw later in the day that the death toll had risen to two, with the latest casualty being identified as a Peshmerga by the name of Aso Twana.
Telegram accounts affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the attack.
Spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Kanaani, said during his weekly press conference on Monday that he was aware of the attack and that more information would soon be released. He added that Iran has warned before that any threat to its security would be met with a response.
“We condemn this transgression and violation of the Kurdistan Region’s sovereignty, and wish a speedy recovery for the wounded,” Kurdistan Region’s Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said during a speech at the inauguration ceremony of the Kurdistan Innovation institute.
The President of the Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani also condemned the attack, calling on Iraq to strengthen efforts to protect its and the Region's sovereignty.
“The Kurdistan Region wants to become a factor of stability in the region and have good relations with all its neighboring countries, and within that framework, have good relations with Iran. We have done everything within our power and we will continue to do so, as the Kurdistan Region cannot become a source of threat for the neighboring countries. With that said, allow me to say that we do not see any excuses for these missile and drone attacks,” said the President.
Ihsan Chalabi, mayor of Sidakan, told Rudaw that Iran has begun shelling the mountainous areas of Bradost, where units of Komala and the KDPI are located.
A senior security source from Ainkawa told Rudaw that sirens at the US consulate in Erbil sounded following the missile and drone attacks.
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) condemned the Iranian missile and drone attack on the Kurdistan Region, calling on Iran and Iraq to engage in dialogue "over mutual security concerns."
We condemn renewed Iranian missile and drone attacks on KR, which violate Iraqi sovereignty. Iraq should not be used as an arena to settle scores and its territorial integrity must be respected. Dialogue between Iraq and Iran over mutual security concerns is the only way forward.
— UNAMI (@UNIraq) November 14, 2022
US Ambassador to Iraq Alina Romanowski said in a tweet that Washington condemns the attacks, reiterates its support for Erbil and Baghdad, and calls on Iran “to stop attacking its neighbor & the people of Iraq.”
The IRGC struck bases of exiled Kurdish opposition groups in Kurdistan Region late September, killing at least 16 and injuring 50 others.
Updated at 2:13PM with Romanowski's tweet
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