‘We have a right to defend our people,’ says PM Barzani following drone attacks on Peshmerga

“I'm deeply alarmed by last night's terrorist attack on a Peshmerga base northeast of Erbil."

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani delivering remarks at an event in Erbil. (Photo: KRG)
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani delivering remarks at an event in Erbil. (Photo: KRG)

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Sunday said that the Region reserves the right to defend its people following two explosive drones hit a Peshmerga base.

The premier’s remarks came hours after at least two explosive drones hit a Peshmerga base in Pirmam town in northeast Erbil, resulting in material damages only, according to Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani.

“I'm deeply alarmed by last night's terrorist attack on a Peshmerga base northeast of Erbil. I condemn the outlaws and their collaborators in the strongest terms possible,” the premier wrote.

"We know well the issues at play here and the outlaws behind them, and have a right to defend our people," the prime minister said. 

“The federal government should see any attack on the Kurdistan Region as an attack on all of Iraq and respond with the appropriate action. Inaction will continue to embolden the outlaws,” Barzani said, urging Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani to take “practical measures” to stop and sanction the groups.

The outlawed groups use state money and weapons to "attack the Kurdistan Region, destabilize the whole of the country, and risk renewed conflict in a nation that has seen enough bloodshed", according to the premier. 

The KRG statement on early Saturday described the attack as "dangerous and provocative". 

Kurdistan Region in recent months has come under increasing drone strikes, mostly targeting the Coalition against ISIS forces base.

In one such attack, at least three US service members were wounded, prompting a deadly US strike on an Iranian-backed group in Babylon governorate shortly after.