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India ‘strongly condemns’ killing of civilians in northern Iraq artillery strike
Eight people, including two children and three women, were killed, while 23 were injured, in Iraq’s Kurdistan region on July 20 when artillery shells hit a park
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.
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.
