UN Condemns Attack on IDP Camp in Duhok

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) on Tuesday condemned a deadly explosion that struck an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Duhok province early Tuesday morning.

The attack targeted the Darkar camp, which hosts displaced Yezidis, drawing sharp criticism from the United Nations. In a statement, the UN in Iraq stressed the urgent need to safeguard displacement camps and ensure they are never subjected to violence.

“The United Nations in Iraq calls for the protection of, and refraining from targeting, displacement camps – including the Darkar camp for Yazidi IDPs,” the statement read.

UNAMI urged Iraqi authorities to swiftly investigate the incident, hold the perpetrators accountable, and implement measures to prevent similar attacks in the future. It also emphasized the responsibility of the government to repair the damage caused and ensure the safety and dignity of those affected.

The attack is seen as a violation of both international humanitarian law and fundamental human rights, further compounding the trauma endured by displaced Yazidi families who have already suffered from past violence and persecution.

As of Tuesday evening, no group had claimed responsibility for the explosion. Local officials have launched an investigation.

"At 00:30 on Tuesday, a suicide drone crashed into the Darkar camp in the Darkar sub-district of Zakho, according to the Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD). CT reported that while there were no human casualties, the incident did cause material damage.  

Jawhar Mohammed, the director of the Darkar subdistrict in the Zakho independent administration, told Kurdistan24 on Tuesday that a drone crashed in the Darkar camp this morning, injuring a child.

He added that the location of the drone had not yet been determined and that investigations are ongoing.