UNICEF says children must be protected from conflict after Baghdad rocket attack

"Children must be protected from attacks at all times."
Iraq, students in an elementary school. (Photo: UNICEF)
Iraq, students in an elementary school. (Photo: UNICEF)

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Sheema SenGupta, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) representative in Iraq, stressed that children must be protected from conflict after a woman and child were injured in a rocket attack targeting the US embassy in Baghdad on Thursday evening.

Read More: Rocket attack targets US embassy in Baghdad

"Children must be protected from attacks at all times. Schools and homes must be safe at all times," she said on Friday.

"We wish the injured child and woman a speedy recovery. Nothing justifies attacks on civilians, including children and women," she added. "UNICEF calls on all parties to fulfill their obligation, under international law, to protect children at all times. All children in Iraq deserve to live their lives without the constant threat of violence."

SenGupta also stressed that schools should be protected, describing them as a sanctuary for children to learn and reach their potential.

"Attacks on schools and education facilities are one of the six grave violations against children," she said. 

She underlined as "per the Safe Schools Declaration, endorsed by Iraq in May 2015, attacks on schools expose students and education personnel to harm, deny large numbers of children and students their right to education and so deprive communities of the foundations on which to build their future."

The Baghdad rocket attack follows repeated assaults from pro-Iranian militias on US and Coalition targets in Iraq. Only on Sunday did the Biden administration break with the scrupulous restraint it had previously shown in not attributing the attacks to any particular party.

Read More: White House warns Iran; finally says Iran proxies behind attacks on US troops

However, it has yet to threaten Iran and its proxies with any particular retaliation in the face of the ongoing attacks.