Arbat Terrorist Attack Widely Condemned Across Iraq

Kurdistan 08:44 PM - 2023-09-18

The location of the terrorist attack on Arbat

Kurdish officials and diplomatic missions in Iraq strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the agricultural airfield in Arbat, Sulaymaniyah, which martyred and injured six Peshmergas of the Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Group (CTG).

On Monday, September 18, 2023, an attack on the agricultural airfield of Arbat in Sulaymaniyah claimed the lives of three CTG Peshmergas and injured three others.

 

The UK Condemns attack on Arbat airfield

The British Ambassador to Iraq has said in a post on Twitter: "The UK condemns the 18 Sept attack at Arbat airport in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq."

"We extend condolences to the victims and those affected. We are committed to supporting Iraq’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity - and improving the regional security environment," he added.

 

Germany condemns attack on Arbat Airfield

The German Consulate General in Erbil, condemned the attack on Arbat Airfield in a Twitter post, saying: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of life. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families."

U.S. Ambassador: We reaffirm our support for respect of Iraq’s sovereignty 

The U.S. Ambassador Alina Romanowski condemns the attack on Arbat airfield in a Twitter post, saying:

"We condemn the attack at Arbat airport in Sulaymaniyah Governorate. We reaffirm our support for respect of Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity—both are essential to Iraq’s stability and security."

"We extend our condolences to those who have lost loved ones," she added.

 

UNAMI: Attacks repeatedly violating Iraqi sovereignty must stop

The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) condemned the attack on Arbat Agricultural Airfield and called for a halt to violating Iraqi sovereignty.

"UNAMI condemns attack on Arbat airport in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, which caused a number of casualties," UNAMI said on X.

"Attacks repeatedly violating Iraqi sovereignty must stop. Security concerns must be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy - not strikes," it added.

The Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Group (CTG) announced on Monday, September 18, 2023, that the agricultural airfield of Arbat in Sulaymaniyah was subjected to an attack that killed three CTG Peshmergas and injured three others.

PUK President Strongly Condemns Terrorist Attack in Arbat

Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the agricultural airfield in Arbat, Sulaymaniyah.

President Bafel stated:

 

We strongly condemn the terrorist attack on the agricultural airfield of Arbat in Sulaymaniyah, which resulted in the martyrdom and injury of six valiant Kurdistan CTG Peshmergas.

This crime is a flagrant breach of the international border between the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, and it is part of a larger scheme to disrupt the peace and stability in the Kurdistan Region, especially in the area bordering Sulaymaniyah. 

Given this breach, all political factions within the Kurdistan Region must work together to address the security threats and obstacles, protecting Kurdistan from its adversaries. 

Our hearts go out to the families of the three CTG members who sacrificed their lives defending Kurdistan's right to peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured, and we hope they recover quickly. We also urge the Iraqi government to stop these incursions by upholding its constitutional and national duty to defend Iraqi territory and airspace, which includes the Kurdistan Region. 

We call on allies, nations, and supporters of freedom everywhere to take a firm stand and unite with us in the fight against terrorism. 

To the esteemed individuals of the Kurdistan region:

 

Trusting in a higher power and cooperating, we will prevail. We shall establish a sense of security in our community and face any challenges that may occur as a result of our togetherness.

PUK Political Bureau: Arbat Attack is Aimed at Disrupting Peace in Kurdistan Region

The PUK Political Bureau issued a statement condemning the Arbat attack, which read in part:

 

"The aggressive assault on the Arbat Agricultural Airfield can be interpreted as an act of aggression not only against the Kurdistan Region but also as a violation of the border of the Federal Republic of Iraq." 

The attack that took place today on the agricultural airfield at Arbat was a criminal and hostile act that committed serious violations against the Kurdistan Region. This incident seems to be part of a larger plot to undermine the security and safety of the Kurdistan Region, with a focus on the city of Sulaymaniyah. 

Strong condemnation of the current atrocity has been met with calls for Kurdish political groups to work together to counter the threats in our region. As a smaller but still significant portion of Iraq, the Kurdistan Region is a prime target when the country is attacked. Any conflict with the armed forces of the Kurdistan Region, which are constitutionally recognised by the Iraqi government and have formal recognition within the Iraqi armed forces, constitutes an assault on Iraq's defence and security infrastructure. In light of this, we strongly urge the Iraqi Federal Government not to remain passive in the face of the aggressors' aggression. 

We urge the international community and institutions advocating for freedom to join us in expressing disapproval and denouncing these crimes so that we can effectively address them politically and diplomatically. The perpetrators must face public shame because they represent a serious threat to international peace and security. 

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the loved ones left behind by those who gave their lives to ensure the peace and stability of our region. Those who have been injured have our best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.

Qubad Talabani: Nothing Justifies Attack on CTG 

The Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Qubad Talabani, expressed strong condemnation towards the recent assault on the agricultural airfield located in the Arbat sub-district. He said, "I strongly denounce the attack on the CTG in the Arbat sub-district." 

It is a violation of Iraqi sovereignty that drones were used to attack CTG members as they went about their daily training. 

Sadly, three heroic individuals from our community tragically lost their lives as martyrs, while three others sustained injuries. We extend our sincere sympathies to the families of the deceased troops and highlight that the perpetration of violence against a courageous Kurdish military unit, whose primary duty is to uphold peace and stability in the Kurdistan region, has no valid explanation. Moreover, it is crucial to recognise their significant role in addressing and countering terrorism in their respective geographical areas.

We call on the relevant federal (Iraqi) government authorities to take measures to prevent the recurrence of such violations. 

I also call on the relevant parties in Kurdistan to conduct a thorough investigation to reveal all the facts and reveal them to the public. 

Jalal Sheikh Naji: Attacks Make Us More Determined to Protect Our National Security 

Jalal Sheikh Naji, the head of the Zanyari Agency, strongly condemned Monday's attack on the agricultural airfield. 

Jalal Sheikh Naji's statement as follows:

 

We strongly condemn the terrorist attack on the agricultural airfield of Arbat in Sulaymaniyah, which resulted in the deaths of three Peshmergas of Kurdistan CTG and injuries to three other Peshmergas.

We extend our sincerest sympathies to the families of the martyrs and the Kurdistan CTG, and we express our hopes for a swift recovery for the injured individuals.

We reaffirm our dedication to ensuring the safety of the Kurdish people and will work tirelessly to address security concerns. The act of trespassing beyond the air and land boundaries of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq constitutes a flagrant transgression, constituting a grave breach of international legal norms. It serves to reinforce our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the national security of our region, while simultaneously denying any openings for our adversaries to undermine the tranquility we have achieved.

We are appealing to the Iraqi Federal Government to place its security responsibilities at the top of its list of priorities and to move quickly to put an end to these violations, which are a risk to the safety of the entire nation.

Counter-Terrorism: Invaders and Enemies Martyred Three of Our Heroes

The CTG published a statement and strongly condemned the attack on the agricultural airfield in Arbat.

The following is the full statement of CTG:

On September 18th, 2023, hostile forces attacked the agricultural airfield of Arbat in Sulaymaniyah, hoping to disrupt the peace and security that had been established in the Kurdistan Region. 

Attackers used a drone as their weapon of choice. Three Kurdistan CTG members, all of whom were friends and heroes, were martyred, and three more were hurt. 

We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and hope for a rapid recovery for the injured. We thus inform all individuals that a comprehensive investigation into this terrorist act, which was carried out with the assistance of foreign agents and local informants, has been initiated, with the assurance that the perpetrators will be held accountable. Any individual or organisation found to have assisted in the commission of this crime will face severe punishment. We are determined to seek justice for our martyrs and ensure that their noble sacrifice was not in vain.

We would like to explain to the public that we will keep the information confidential for the safety of the investigation and we will reveal the truth to the Kurdish people in the future.

Unit 70th Forces: Attacking Kurdistan Region and Iraq is Against International Law

The presidency of the Staff of the Unit 70th Forces also condemned the terrorist attack at Arbat Agricultural Airfield and stated:

We want to make it clear that the above act, which shows a lack of bravery, is a clear violation of the authority of both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, and goes against well-known rules of international law. Its main goal is to make the area less safe and stable, especially in Sulaymaniyah. We send our deepest sympathy to the families of those who died, and we hope that those who were hurt will get better quickly and completely. We are making it clear to everyone involved that this cowardly act of terrorism will not go unpunished. We want the international community to take a strong stance against this act of terrorism because the Peshmerga and the Kurdish people have worked hard and made sacrifices for a long time to protect the region and the world from terrorism and its offenders. So, we ask our friends to help us fight these terrorist acts.

We thus pledge to address these acts of cowardice and any endeavors that seek to hurt the Kurdish population and infringe upon the territorial integrity of Kurdistan.


PUKMEDIA