Political parties and international governments denounce attacks in Erbil and call for restraint, accountability, and respect for Iraq’s sovereignty
Two explosive-laden drones targeted the private office of Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the residence of the Director of the Parastin Agency in the Pirmam district of Erbil province, according to the Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Directorate.
The attacks prompted immediate condemnation from political parties, government institutions, and citizens across the Kurdistan Region, followed by statements from international governments and diplomatic missions calling for an end to such attacks.
Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, strongly condemned the strikes, describing them as a dangerous escalation. He called on the Iraqi Federal Government to fulfill its constitutional responsibility to protect the country’s security and stability and prevent similar attacks from occurring again.
Nechirvan Barzani stressed that protecting Iraq’s sovereignty, security, and stability, including that of the Kurdistan Region, is a shared responsibility. He urged all sides to work toward de-escalation and reducing tensions.
Political parties and coalitions both inside and outside the Kurdistan Region also condemned the attacks. The Prime Minister of Iraq held a telephone conversation with Masrour Barzani to discuss the incident, with both sides agreeing to expand the scope of the investigation.
The United States strongly condemned the attack on Masrour Barzani’s office in Erbil. In a statement, the US Embassy in Baghdad described Barzani as an “esteemed Kurdish friend and partner” and said such aggression is unacceptable.
Washington also warned that attacks against its Kurdish allies threaten the stability of the wider region, stressing that it would not remain silent in the face of actions that endanger the security of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.
The European Union also condemned the drone strikes targeting Kurdistan Regional Government facilities and leadership offices in Erbil, calling for the attacks to stop immediately.
An EU spokesperson described the strikes as an unacceptable violation of Iraq’s sovereignty and warned that, amid the region’s sensitive and complex circumstances, such attacks pose additional risks to regional security and stability.
The EU said it was closely monitoring developments and urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint. The British Consulate General in the Kurdistan Region likewise said it would continue supporting efforts to reduce tensions and reaffirmed its support for initiatives aimed at preserving peace and stability in the Kurdistan Region.
Clemens Semtner, the EU Ambassador to Iraq, said such attacks appear intended to undermine diplomatic efforts and pull Iraq further into regional conflicts.
Several regional and Gulf countries also condemned the strikes, communicating their positions directly to the Kurdistan Region’s prime minister and warning that the attacks could contribute to further escalation and instability in the region.