Iraq: Erbil attack to not affect ties with Turkey

By Amir al-Hassani

BAGHDAD (AA) - The Iraqi foreign minister on Wednesday said the “criminal act” that took place in Erbil against Turkey's Consulate General diplomat will not affect ties between Ankara and Baghdad.

A Turkish diplomat, who was serving at Turkey's Consulate General in Erbil, was martyred in an armed attack at a restaurant, the Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement.

Mohammed Ali al-Hakim's remarks came during a phone call with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, expressing his condolences “for the attack that claimed the life of the Turkish diplomat in Erbil Consulate, and his sincere condolences to the family of the deceased,” according to a statement tweeted by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry.

Al-Hakim stressed his country would exert every effort to identify the attackers and find out their motive.

Al-Hakim added: “this criminal act will not affect the extent and nature of the relations between Baghdad and Ankara, but will increase the two sides’ determination to consolidate their relations to serve the two friendly peoples.”

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters in the capital Ankara that three gunmen attacked the restaurant.

Apart from the Turkish diplomat, two Iraqi nationals sitting on the next table at the restaurant became the victims of the attack, with one killed while another wounded seriously, he said.

Cavusoglu added that Turkey is in contact and coordination with Baghdad and Erbil to capture the attackers and reveal all the details.