Kurdistan officials condemn Taji attack, warn of growing threat by radical groups

Senior Kurdish officials on Thursday strongly condemned the recent attack on Iraq’s Camp Taji airbase near Baghdad and warned of the re-emergence of terrorist groups in the country.

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Senior Kurdish officials on Thursday strongly condemned the recent attack on Iraq’s Camp Taji airbase near Baghdad and warned of the re-emergence of terrorist groups in the country.

On Wednesday evening, a barrage of rockets landed inside Iraq’s Camp Taji airbase in the outskirts of capital Baghdad, where troops from the US-led coalition against the Islamic State are stationed, killing and wounding a number of service members.

In a statement on Thursday, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani strongly condemned the rocket attack that targeted the airbase.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and their countries and reiterate that this assault is an alarming development, which will harm Iraq’s interests and security,” the statement continued.

“The attack takes place at a time when terror resurgence is looming, and ISIS remains a serious threat to the security and stability of Iraq and the wider region. Iraq still needs the support of the global coalition to confront [the] threat.”

He also urged the authorities to find the perpetrators of the assault and bring them to justice. President Barzani asked authorities to prevent the continuation of such attacks and hostilities, which will lead to further instability.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani issued a similar statement condemning the assault.

“This attack, at a time when ISIS remains a serious threat in Iraq and the region, will only strengthen extremist groups. Our joint efforts should be focused on defeating the terrorist threat. Iraq already faces health, economic, and security obstacles. Any further escalation will simply harm Iraq and the whole region,” a statement Prime Minister Barzani’s press office released read.

“We call for restraint and urge all parties, including from the wider neighborhood, to coordinate to stop any further destabilizing activity, and to focus on efforts to secure peace and stability to improve the lives of all Iraqi citizens.”

The activities of the Islamic State, including insurgency attacks, ambushes, and kidnappings continue to grow in different parts of Iraq.

Officials in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq have repeatedly expressed their concerns about the increasing number of the group’s attacks in the country, calling for further military and security cooperation with the international community.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany