Iraq issues summons to Turkey for attacks in Kurdistan; Arab League, U

Baghdad/Ankara: Nine people were killed and 28 injured in a rocket attack on a park in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Iraq has summoned the Turkish ambassador, blaming Turkey for the attack, which killed locals. Turkey has denied the allegations against it, saying it was not involved in the attack in Iraq. But Turkey’s attack, which has already targeted Iraq’s Kurdistan province before, has drawn strong reactions from the international level. America, Germany and the Arab League have rebuked Turkey.

Rocket attacks took place on Wednesday in the city of Zakho in Kurdistan, an autonomous region in Iraq. Nine people were killed in the rockets that crashed into a park and surrounding areas. It is claimed to include two children. Iraqi agencies accused the Turkish army of launching these rocket attacks. At the same time, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi criticized the Turkish attacks as challenging Iraq’s sovereignty. Also, Prime Minister Kadhimi warned that Iraq could retaliate for its sovereignty’s security.

Iraq then summoned the Turkish ambassador to Baghdad. Iraq is also preparing to recall its ambassador to Turkey on the issue. Iraq has suggested that Turkey immediately withdraw its troops deployed in the northern part of Iraq. Over the past few months, Turkey had announced it had launched operations against Kurdish terrorists. For this, Turkey deployed its troops in the northern part of Iraq.

But after civilians were killed in an attack in the Kurdistan region, Iraqi citizens expressed anger against Turkey’s deployment. Iraqi citizens staged a massive demonstration in Baghdad in front of the Turkish embassy. Protesters also shouted slogans against Turkish President Recep Erdoğan. There were also reports of some protesters pelting stones at the Turkish embassy. Turkey has rejected the allegations made by Iraq regarding the attack on Kurdistan. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu claimed that his army had not launched an attack in Kurdistan.

Meanwhile, the attack in Iraq has evoked strong reactions from all over the world. The United States and Germany, which helped the Kurds fight against terrorism, rebuked Turkey for the attacks. The US State Department has said the US is committed to the security of Iraq’s sovereignty and will not tolerate its violations. Germany has said that the attack on the Iraqi people violates international norms. The Arab League has warned that Turkey should respect the borders of neighbouring countries and not even think of attacking any Arab country.