Iraq summons Iran envoy to protest strikes in Kurdish region

By Ahmed Al-Dulaimi

BAGHDAD (AA) – Iraq summoned the Iranian ambassador in Baghdad on Thursday to protest drone and artillery strikes in the country’s northern Kurdish region.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed al-Sahhaf said the envoy was handed a strongly-worded note of protest against the ongoing attacks in the Kurdish region.

On Wednesday, the ministry termed the Iranian strikes as a “dangerous development that threatens Iraq’s security and sovereignty.”

“These unilateral provocative acts complicate the security situation, cast a pale on the region and contribute to increasing tension,” the ministry said in a statement.

According to Iranian media, Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard unleashed a wave of drone and artillery strikes targeting what Tehran says are bases of armed groups in northern Iraq.

At least nine people were killed and dozens injured in the attacks, according to Iraqi health authorities.

*Ikram Imane Kouachi contributed to this report