Update: 3 gunmen who attacked Erbil governor’s building named
Three gunmen attacked the offices of the Erbil governorate Monday morning, entering the building at 7:00am and taking two hostages.
Security forces engaged the gunmen, killing all three.
One of the civilian hostages died of wounds sustained during the incident - it is not immediately known if the civilian was injured by the gunmen or in cross-fire with the security forces. Four security force members were injured.
The three gunmen have been identified as from Erbil. Initial indications are that they are members of ISIS. The governor has described it as a terror attack.
The building is now clear of attackers and the situation is under control.
No group has claimed responsibility as of yet.
Updates as events unfold:
9.30 p.m.
The hostage who died in Monday's attack has been named as Farhan Elya, 53, who worked in the governor's office for 20 years, Rudaw has learned.
He is reportedly a Christian from Shaqlawa, who leaves behind a wife, two sons, and one daughter.
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8.15 p.m.
Security forces say all three attackers are from Erbil. They have been named as Rahel Mohammad Rostam (16), Abdulrahman Rahim Qader (16), and Bilal Sleman Abdulrahman (18).
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7.25 p.m.
The Consular Office of Japan in Erbil has issued a short statement condemning the attack and sharing its condolences with the victim’s family.
“The Consular office of Japan in Erbil is shocked and saddened by the terrorist attack of 23/7/2018 to Erbil governorate office. We express our condolence to the bereaved family of the victim. We also pray those injured for their earliest recovery,” the office said in a Facebook statement.
“No act of terrorism can be justified for whatever reason or purpose. Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations should be condemned.”
4.39 p.m.
CCTV footage from the scene has emerged showing the three attackers entering the governor's building.
CCTV footage of the three men who attacked the building of #Erbil governorate today. #KRG #Kurdistan pic.twitter.com/KB89BxcVDj
— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) July 23, 2018
Images have also emerged apparently showing the bodies of the attackers.
All three attackers on #Erbil governor's building dead. Security chief Barzan Qassab says the attackers could be members of ISIS. pic.twitter.com/nN9awAG0Ha
— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) July 23, 2018
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1:17 p.m.
Erbil Governor Nawzad Hadi described the assault as a "terrorist attack". The governor who spoke to the media in front of his office compound said, “Terrorist acts like this will not dampen the spirit of our security forces,”
Tariq Nuri, head of the city security said that the identities of the attackers were now known to the police and that all three attackers from Erbil.
No one has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.
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12:43 pm
One policeman and three security members were wounded in the operation, Barzan Qassab, deputy head of Erbil Asayesh security told Rudaw.
They have launched an investigation, but believe the attackers may be associated with ISIS, Qassab said.
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12:35 pm
One of the two men who were taken hostage by the gunmen inside the governor's building has died of his injuries.
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12:22 pm
The three gunmen who attacked the Erbil governor's building on Monday morning were all killed after engaging in clashes with security forces inside the building, according to Rudaw's Sangar Abdulrahman reporting from the scene.
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Three gunmen attacked the Erbil governor's building on Monday morning, wounding a policeman, according to local officials, with security forces inside the building in pursuit.
Tahir Abdulla, Erbil deputy governor told Rudaw that security forces have surrounded the area and they have entered the building in pursuit of the assailants.
At 10:40 am the security forces reported that they had killed one of the three assailants inside the building.
“I’d like to reassure everyone that the situation is under control as security forces have entered the building and are searching for the attackers room by room,” he said.
The attackers are said to have entered the governor's building at 07:00 o’clock before the official start of working hours.
According to Rudaw reporter Sangar Abdulrahman from the scene, the attackers have reached the third floor.
Abdulla added the first and second floor were clear.
He said it wasn’t clear yet what type of weapons the gunmen carried with them.
This is a developing story...