Iraqi PM condemns missile attack on Erbil
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Sunday condemned the missile attack targeting the new US consulate in Erbil several hours earlier, pledging to investigate the attack.
“The aggression which targeted the dear city of Erbil and spread fear among its inhabitants is an attack on the security of our people,” read a tweet by Kadhimi, adding that an investigation will be conducted together with the Kurdistan Region.
The statement by the prime minister comes several hours after twelve missiles, launched from outside of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, targeted Erbil.
The aggression which targeted the dear city of Erbil and spread fear amongst its inhabitants is an attack on the security of our people.
— Mustafa Al-Kadhimi مصطفى الكاظمي (@MAKadhimi) March 13, 2022
I discussed these developments with the KRG PM. Our security forces will investigate and stand firm against any threats towards our people.
The Kurdistan Region’s counter terrorism department confirmed that twelve missiles were targeted at the US consulate building in Erbil from outside the Region and Iraq, hitting different neighborhoods of the city. The department added that the missiles were launched from the east, and that no casualties have been caused by the attack.
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) also condemned the attack, calling it a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty.
UNAMI strongly condemns heinous missile attacks on Erbil. Iraqis are called upon to stand together in the face of any act that violates Iraq’s sovereignty/territorial integrity,and/or aims to undermine stability/unity. Perpetrators of this cowardly attack must be held to account.
— UNAMI (@UNIraq) March 13, 2022
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Tuesday vowed to seek revenge against Israel, saying it will “pay the price” for killing two of its guards in an airstrike over the Syrian capital a week earlier.
The attack comes days after indirect talks between the US and Iran in Vienna aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal paused on Friday.
This is the first attack on US missions in the Kurdistan Region this year. Previous attacks were blamed on Iranian-backed Iraqi militias who have demanded that United States forces withdraw from Iraq.
No group has immediately claimed responsibility for this latest attack.