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French President Emmanuel Macron and Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani meet on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 17, 2023. Photo: PM Barzani's office
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Regional and international leaders offered their condolences for Iran’s attack on Erbil during discussions with Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Barzani and French President Emmanuel Macron talked “primarily of the recent attack on Erbil by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps,” said a statement from the prime minister’s office. “The attack was labeled as a significant threat to the Kurdistan Region and a clear infringement of the sovereignty of both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.”
During the meeting, Macron offered his condolences and “reiterated France’s steadfast support for the Kurdistan Region.”
Barzani has met with a number of high-level leaders since Tuesday, who have also pledged to enhance bilateral relations with Erbil and to boost investment in the Kurdistan Region.
In a meeting with Barzani on Wednesday, Hungarian President Katalin Novak offered her condolences for the loss of life in Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Erbil on Monday evening which killed four civilians. According to a statement from Barzani’s office, Novak “reaffirmed Hungary's unwavering support for the Kurdistan Region.”
Jordanian Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh also called the attacks on Erbil “unjust and a violation of Iraqi sovereignty” in a meeting with Barzani on Wednesday.
“During the meeting, Prime Minister Khasawneh conveyed greetings from HM King Abdullah to Prime Minister Barzani and the people of the Kurdistan Region,” a statement read following the meeting.
In a meeting with Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s foreign minister, emphasis was placed on “enhancing bilateral relations and encouraging investment,” according to a statement from Barzani’s office.
“A contingent of Qatari investors and entrepreneurs is expected to visit the Kurdistan Region soon,” the statement said.
While attending the 2024 World Economic Forum in Davos, Barzani spoke to US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken separately. Both renewed Washington’s condemnation of the Iranian attack on Erbil.
“The Kurdistan Regional Government is a close partner, and the United States unequivocally condemns Iran’s aggression,” wrote Blinken on X.
“The partnership between the KRI [Kurdistan Region of Iraq] and the US was forged through opposition to dictatorship and the war on ISIS,” Barzani said on X after meeting Sullivan. “We expect more support from parties.”
Spoke with Prime Minister @masrourbarzani today in Davos following Iran’s attack on the Iraq Kurdistan Region yesterday. The Kurdistan Regional Government is a close partner, and the United States unequivocally condemns Iran’s aggression. pic.twitter.com/MadaRHhGVg
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) January 17, 2024
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired 10 ballistic missiles towards different parts of Erbil province late Monday, under the pretext of targeting Mossad bases and headquarters of anti-Iran groups. The attacks left at least four killed, including an 11-month-old girl, and 17 others injured.
Both Barzani and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani have cancelled their meetings with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on the sidelines of the forum in response to the attack.
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