Iraq’s regional government condemns Iranian strikes

By Nour Abu Aisha

ERBIL, Iraq (AA) – The Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), which governs the autonomous region of northern Iraq on Monday condemned Iranian strikes against Kurdish groups in its territory.

"The repeated Iranian violations of Iraq's sovereignty are unjustified, and constitute a flagrant violation of international norms and good-neighborly relations,” the KRG said in a statement.

The KRG called on Tehran to stop its aggression, stressing that “stability will not be achieved through violence.”

It also called on the Iraqi federal government, the UN, and the international community to "take a clear and frank stance towards the ongoing Iranian aggression."

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) also called for the need to "stop the violation of Iraqi sovereignty."

“Repeated attacks, violating Iraqi sovereignty, must cease. Such aggression not only recklessly heightens tensions but also causes tragedy,” it said in a statement on Twitter.

“Whatever external score a neighboring country is seeking to settle, the use of established diplomatic instruments is the only way forward,” UNAMI said.

There was no comment from the Iranian authorities regarding the statements.

On Sunday, drone and missile strikes targeted the offices of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (IKDP) and Komala Party in the towns of Koy Sanjaq and Zirguez in northern Iraq.

Iran accuses Kurdish armed groups stationed in northern Iraq of fanning anti-government protests in Iran.

Iran has been rocked by nationwide protests since September over the death of a 22-year-old Iranian woman in police custody.

*Ikram Imane Kouachi contributed to this report.