The Iraqi army announced today, Wednesday, that it has identified the source of the missiles that fell in Erbil, urging the security apparatus in the Kurdistan Region to review the recent security breach.
Brigadier General Yahya Rasul, spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, stated that "the number of missiles that fell in Erbil was 11 and were launched from within the borders of the region, specifically from two areas in Erbil." He clarified that the missiles were over 5 kilometers away from the center of Erbil, according to the Iraqi News Agency "INA". He added that "the vehicle and missile launch pad were found," noting that "four of the missiles landed inside Erbil Airport while others hit civilians." He emphasized that the government is serious about not allowing those responsible for this act to go unpunished.
He stressed that the security system in the region must conduct a thorough review of the recent security breach and mentioned that they will not accept the country turning into a battleground for settling scores. Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi instructed yesterday, Tuesday, the formation of a joint investigative committee with the Kurdistan Region following the attack in Erbil. The Security Media Cell reported that "the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces has ordered the formation of a joint investigative committee with the relevant authorities in the Kurdistan Region to determine who is behind the incident of several missiles landing at Erbil International Airport and its vicinity," with some missiles landing in the Waziran neighborhood and others on 40-Meter Street.
The International Coalition announced that initial reports indicate the death of a civilian contractor, with five civilian contractors and one American soldier injured due to indirect fire on coalition forces in Erbil. For his part, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that "the United States is outraged" by the missile attack on Erbil. He added that he spoke with Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani to discuss the incident and pledged support for all efforts to investigate and hold those responsible accountable. Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani mentioned on his Twitter account that he discussed the cowardly attack on Erbil with U.S. Secretary of State Blinken. Iraqi President Barham Salih described these attacks as a dangerous escalation and a criminal terrorist act targeting national efforts to protect the country’s security. A group calling itself "Saraya Awliya al-Dam" claimed responsibility for the attacks, threatening what it described as "American occupation" in every inch of the homeland.
