DPM Talabani Calls on International Community to Stop infringements on Iraqi Territory

Kurdistan 05:00 PM - 2024-08-23

Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani

On Friday, August 23, 2024, a drone targeted a vehicle transporting three journalists in the village of Taparash, in the Said Sadiq District, Sulaymaniyah. As a result, two of them lost their lives, while the other one had severe injuries. The two journalists who were killed were both females.

Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani published a statement, saying: "The individuals who were killed in the drone attack near Said Sadiq district were two female journalists, who were not affiliated with any armed forces and therefore did not pose a threat to the security and stability of any country or region."

The following is DPM's full statement:

The individuals who were killed in the drone attack near Said Sadiq district were two female journalists, who were not affiliated with any armed forces and therefore did not pose a threat to the security and stability of any country or region

The assassination of these two journalists is an unjustifiable crime against all international laws and norms, and we firmly denounce it. In addition, it constitutes an obvious violation of Iraqi sovereignty. We urge the federal government and the international community to promptly stop these infringements, which pose a significant danger to the lives of civilians in the Kurdistan Region.

On this occasion, I offer my condolences to the families of the two journalists who were killed and express my hope for a swift recovery of the other individual who was injured. 

PUK Faction: Iraqi Government Should Break Silence on the Violations

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Faction in the Iraqi parliament condemned the drone attack in Said Sadiq district, which killed two female journalists and seriously injured another.

The PUK Faction said: 

The PUK Faction in the Iraqi parliament vehemently denounces the drone assault in the vicinity of Said Sadiq district, aimed at the vehicle carrying a team of journalists, resulting in the death of two female journalists and inflicting severe injuries on another.

These illegal acts are unjustified and in violation of international norms and customs. They also constitute infringements and disregard for the sovereignty of Iraqi territory and airspace.

Hence, we urge the federal government to end its silence over the frequent encroachments on Iraq and the Kurdistan Region's territory and airspace, which pose a grave danger to civilian life.

Metro Centre & KJS's Sulaymaniyah Branch Denounce Recent Drone Attack

The Sulaymaniyah branch of Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate and the Metro Centre for Journalists Rights and Advocacy have released a joint statement denouncing the attack on three journalists. 

The Metro Centre and the Sulaymaniyah Branch of the Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate have released a joint statement, saying: "We firmly denounce the criminal attack conducted by Türkiye, resulting in the targeted assassination of two journalists (Hero Bahadin and Gulistan Tara) employed by Stark TV, an entity officially authorised by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)."

"The attack occurred near Said Sadiq District, where a vehicle transporting three Stark TV employees was targeted. As a result, two journalists lost their lives, while the other journalist sustained severe injuries. We both firmly condemn the attack," they stated. 

They further said: "The Turkish army has previously targeted journalists on multiple occasions. Journalists from Chra TV and Chra FM were deliberately attacked by the Turkish Air Force on July 8 in the Sinjar District. Tragically, journalist Murad Mirza lost his life in the attack, while Madiya Hassan and Khalaf Haider sustained injuries."

In the end of their statement, both parties urged the KRG and the Iraqi government to place maximum pressure on Turkey in order to prevent any further infringements on the rights of journalists and civilians. 



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