India on Monday strongly condemned the recent killing of eight civilians in a shelling in Kurdistan region of Iraq, and said the incident was a clear violation of the country’s sovereignty.
Eight people, including two children and three women, were killed, while 23 were injured, in Kurdistan region on July 20 when artillery shells hit a park. Local officials blamed Turkey for the attack.
“India strongly condemns the recent killings in the Zakho district of Dohuk Governatorate, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, which is a clear violation of the country’s sovereignty and a blatant disregard for international humanitarian law,” the Union external affairs ministry said in a statement.
India expressed its deepest condolences to families that “lost their loved ones in the dastardly attack”, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
“India also conveyed its stand and condolences in messages inscribed [on Monday] in condolence books opened by Government of Iraq in Baghdad and Embassy of Iraq in New Delhi,” the statement added.
Zakho is a commercial centre and tourist hub in northern Kurdistan. Local officials said a Turkish artillery strike hit a crowded resort just outside the town on July 20.
{{/usCountry}}Zakho is a commercial centre and tourist hub in northern Kurdistan. Local officials said a Turkish artillery strike hit a crowded resort just outside the town on July 20.
{{/usCountry}}The Kurdish and Yezidi regions of Iraq have been targeted in the past with airstrikes and artillery shelling by the Turkish military.
Turkey launched a new offensive in northern Iraq in April, targeting fighters from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which Ankara has designated as a terrorist group.