Russia Voices Concerns over Brutal Attacks in Iraq

Russia condemned, on Friday, attempts to turn Iraq into a confrontation zone, reiterating its full support for the country's stability and security.

"We reaffirm our principled and consistent support for stability and security of friendly Iraq," Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement in the wake of the shelling of the Iraqi region of Duhok.

"We resolutely stand against turning its territory into a scene of regional confrontation," the ministry added, sending sincere condolences to the relatives of those killed and wishing a speedy recovery for all those injured.

On Wednesday, at least 8 civilians were killed and 23 others wounded in Turkish airstrikes on Iraq’s northern province of Dohuk.

The “fierce artillery bombing” hit a resort in Zakho, a city on the border between Iraq’s Kurdistan region and Turkey, according to state TV. All killed were tourists, according to the state news agency.

On his part, Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi affirmed that Iraq reserves its full right to respond to the Turkish attacks, stressing that it will take all necessary measures to protect its people.

Al-Kadhmi stressed that “Iraq reserves its full right to respond to these attacks,” noting that “it will take all necessary measures to protect its people, and hold the aggressor accountable for the ongoing escalation.”

The Prime Minister added: “This brutal underscores the fact that turkey  ignored  Iraq’s continued demands to refrain from  military violations against Iraqi territory and the lives of Iraqis.”