Netherlands demands clarification from Iran over killing of ‘Dutch infant’ in Erbil attack

19-01-2024
Rudaw
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot on Friday announced speaking to her Iranian counterpart over the death of a “Dutch infant” in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attack on Erbil, adding that she had Iran's ambassador to The Hague summoned over the matter.

Iran’s IRGC in the late hours of Monday launched ten ballistic missiles toward the Kurdistan Region’s capital of Erbil, under the pretext of targeting “spy headquarters” of anti-Iran groups, killing at least four, including an 11-month-old infant.

“I spoke to my Iranian counterpart [Hossein Amir-Abodllahian] today to ask for clarification about the death of a Dutch infant in Iran’s attacks in Erbil,” read a statement from Slot on X.

Slot also added that she had the Iranian ambassador to The Hague summoned over the matter.

The Dutch top diplomat expressed sympathy for the family of the victims and condemned the Iranian attack on the Kurdistan Region capital.

“I strongly condemn Iran’s attack in Erbil,” Slot said.

The IRGC attacked the house of Kurdish businessman Peshraw Dizayee, the owner of Falcon Group which runs major projects such as Empire World, who later succumbed to his injuries. Dizayee’s daughter Zhina, who held Dutch nationality and was days away from her first birthday, was killed in the attack.

Dizayee’s mansion was described by Tehran as a Mossad base - a claim strongly rejected by Kurdish officials.

Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji on Tuesday stated on X that “the claims that a Mossad headquarters was targeted [in the attack] are baseless.”

On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, Amir-Abdollahian reiterated the claims that the IRGC strikes targeted Israeli intelligence bases.

The Iranian FM’s remarks were vehemently denied by his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein, who referred to the attack as “not acceptable” and an “aggression,” categorically denying the presence of Israeli intelligence in the Kurdistan Region.

As a reaction to the strike, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani canceled their scheduled meetings with Amir-Abdollahian on the sidelines of the forum, a well-informed source told Rudaw. 

On Wednesday, Iraq’s foreign ministry announced that it had officially submitted a complaint against Iran to the United Nations Security Council about the attack, after summoning Iranian charge d’affaires in Baghdad to protest the IRGC aggression. 
 

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