Kurds suspect Iran: rockets fired at Iraqi city of Erbil

Erbil
Rockets fired at Iraqi city – Kurds suspect Iran

A dozen rockets have been fired at Erbil in northern Iraq. “Twelve ballistic missiles” were fired at the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region, the Kurdish security forces said. The attack was therefore aimed at the US consulate in Erbil. According to the Interior Ministry, one person was slightly injured. The Kurds indirectly blamed Iran for the attack.

No damage to the US consulate

The interior ministry in Erbil said the attack hit a “new building” in a suburb where the US consulate is located. There was material damage to “buildings and houses” and a civilian was slightly injured.

The weapons had their starting point east of “the Iraqi and Kurdish borders, in the immediate vicinity of Iran. According to Washington, the US consulate was not hit. There was “no damage or casualties at a US facility,” said a spokesman for the US State Department, which condemned the “heinous attack”.

An AFP correspondent in Erbil heard three explosions before dawn. The Kurdistan24 TV channel, whose studios are located near the US consulate in Erbil, published photos of damaged offices on online networks.

“We condemn this terrorist attack on different parts of Erbil and call on the residents to remain calm,” said the head of government of the autonomous Kurdish region, Masrur Barzani.

Conflict between Iran and USA

Iraq is repeatedly drawn into the conflict between its neighbor Iran and the USA. In recent years, dozens of rocket and drone attacks have been directed against US soldiers and their interests in Iraq. The attacks are blamed on pro-Iranian groups in Iraq.

In January 2020, Iran had fired 22 rockets at the military bases used by the US in Ain al Assad in western Iraq and in Erbil. Tehran was in retaliation for the death of senior Iranian general Kassem Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike in Iraq a few days earlier.

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AFP