UN, UK, and Dutch envoys condemn Erbil rocket attack
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The UN, British and Dutch envoys to Iraq on Tuesday condemned the previous night’s deadly rocket attack in the Kurdistan Region’s capital Erbil.
“We deplore the deadly rocket attack on Erbil. Such heinous, reckless acts pose grave threats to stability. Iraq must be shielded from (external) rivalries,” said Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the U.N. Special Representative for Iraq, who is a Dutch citizen.
“We call for restraint and for close Baghdad-Erbil collaboration to bring culprits to justice,” she added.
Stephen Hickey, the UK Ambassador to Iraq, also condemned the attack. “I extend my condolences to the family of the civilian contractor who was killed,” he said.
He urged that the parties responsible be “held to account” and said the British government would support Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi’s investigation.
The Netherlands' Consulate General Erbil in an official tweet said that the Netherlands condemns the attack.
“We mourn the death of a civilian contractor and the injured civilians and military, including several members of the coalition,” the mission said. “We offer our condolences and sympathize with the relatives and friends of the victims.”
Last month around 120 Dutch soldiers arrived in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to protect the military base adjacent to the Erbil International Airport.
Their mission is to secure the personnel and equipment of the anti-Islamic State coalition at the airport.
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The Netherlands Consul General in the Kurdistan Region, Hans Akerboom, told Kurdistan 24 on Monday that neither Dutch military personnel nor consulate staff were wounded in the attack.
Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) spokesperson Colonel Wayne Marotto earlier said there was“1 civilian contractor killed, 5 civilian contractors injured and 1 US service member injured” when "indirect fire" fell on Coalition forces.
According to the Kurdistan Region's Ministry of Health three civilians were injured.
Barzani said late Monday that he spoke with Kadhimi, who is also Commander-in-Chief of Iraq’s military, on ways for the KRG and federal government to cooperate and identify the culprits behind the attack.
Read More: PM Barzani condemns rocket attack in Erbil, stresses cooperation in call with Iraqi PM
It's expected more details will be released following the investigation by the relevant Kurdish and Iraqi authorities.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States is "outraged" by the assault and confirmed he reached out to the KRG premier to pledge American support and support an investigation to “hold accountable those responsible.”
Editing by Joanne Stocker-Kelly