PHOTOS: Two gunmen open fire on Appellate Court in Erbil

Two gunmen opened fire on an Erbil courthouse on Sunday, damaging the exterior of the building before security was able to apprehend them.

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Two gunmen opened fire on an Erbil courthouse on Sunday, damaging the exterior of the building before security was able to apprehend them.

The shooting took place shortly after 9:00 am, local time. Two gunmen wearing military uniforms drove up to the Appellate Court of Erbil and opened fire, Head of Kurdistan’s Bar Syndicate office in Erbil, Ayad Kakayi, told reporters.

“So far, the identity of the armed men is not known to us, and we do not know the reason behind the shooting,” Kakayi stated.

Kakayi explained judges and lawyers would not allow themselves to be intimidated or threatened by such incidents. He suggested there might be a case being tried in the court which the gunmen were attempting to influence with violence.

Erbil Security Director, Tariq Nouri, confirmed the shooters were arrested and that local security forces have launched an investigation into the matter.

The following photos posted on social media show the bullet marks outside the courthouse:

Editing by Nadia Riva