To Whom It May Concern,
Yesterday, a deadly artillery attack in a mountain resort in the Zakho district of Dohuk Governorate in Northern Iraq was launched. The attack led to the death of at least 8 tourists and injured more than twenty. According to available sources (especially security sources), the attack in the stated bordering area between Iraq’s Kurdistan region and Turkey was carried out by the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party), but the PKK media outlets claim that the attack was carried out by the Turkish military. By this time, Turkey denied responsibility for the attack.
Of course, civilian casualties are common in Iraq. Indeed, Iraq, a war-damaged country that experienced two major wars in recent decades, is undergoing a difficult situation for a long with political instability and frequent attacks by different parties. It is well-known that frequent clashes occur in Iraq involving the Iraqi security forces, the Turkish military, the PKK and other armed groups. The PKK carried out many attacks in civilian areas of Northern Iraq, where the group has many hideouts, though its strengths has lessened recently. Along with the PKK, the Turkish military frequently launches cross-border attacks against the PKK in Northern Iraq. It is notable that more than 40,000 people were killed in the conflict between the PKK and the Turkish military that mainly occurred in Southern Iraq in the past since 1984 when the former took arms against the latter.
It does not matter whether the attack was carried out by the PKK, the Turkish military or another group in Northern Iraq, it is desired that civilians are not attacked. In this respect, it is important to identify whether the attack was carried out by the PKK or any other group. It is also desired that the Iraqi forces remain unprovoked and that all the parties including the PKK refrain from attacking civilians and using explosive weapons in populated areas.
