PM Kadhimi lands in Erbil following missile strike

Layal Shakir

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Monday arrived in the capital of the Kurdistan Region, a day after the city was targeted by a dozen Iranian ballistic missiles in a widely condemned attack. 

Accompanied by a high-level security delegation, Kadhimi arrived in Erbil to meet with Kurdish authorities and to visit the residential areas that were damaged in Sunday’s Iranian attack.

Kadhimi was received by the Kurdistan Region’s Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.

On Monday evening, PM Barzani said Baghdad and Erbil are “in absolute agreement that the repeated attacks on Iraq’s sovereignty must stop,” following their meeting.  

Kadhimi was later received by Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani, where they both agreed to form a committee to investigate the recent missile attack in Erbil "to look into the truths of the event," read a tweet from the Kurdish leader. 

Before wrapping up his visit to Erbil, the Iraqi prime minister also convened with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani. 

The premier’s visit comes after Iran fired twelve ballistic missiles targeting areas surrounding the US consulate building in Erbil. Launched under the pretext of hitting an Israeli base, the attack injured two civilians and caused severe material damage to houses and to the Kurdistan24 media channel office. 

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Sunday afternoon claimed responsibility for targeting "the strategic center of the Zionist conspiracy and evil by point-to-point missile," without mentioning Erbil or the Kurdistan Region by name.

However, earlier in the morning, Iranian state media reported the incident as an attack targeting “Mossad [Israeli intelligence] bases in Erbil.”

Iraq late Sunday summoned the Iranian ambassador to Iraq, informing him of the country’s “objection, and strong, clear views.”

The recent offense was widely condemned by diplomatic missions, local and international communities.

Following the attack, Kadhimi also spoke to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, with the American official reiterating US’ solidarity with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, agreeing with the leader that the attack was an immense violation of Iraq’s sovereignty.

The United States late Sunday said they have “no indications” that the recent attack was directed at the American consulate or bases housing their troops. 

The premier also held an emergency meeting with the national security council to discuss the attack on Sunday evening.

Updated 3:38 pm