The United Nations has warned that tensions in Iraq could rise following a rocket attack by a foreign contractor to kill U.S. weapons and injure at least 14 others in Erbil. The attack was criticized by the United States and its European allies.
The attack in the Kurdish regional capital of northern Iraq late Monday was the first in nearly two months to be sent to Western military or diplomatic bases in Iraq, following a series of incidents similar to the blame on anti-Iranian Shia groups.
“Such tragic, reckless activities pose a serious threat to sustainability,” the UN’s chief representative in Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert wrote on Twitter, calling for “blocking” on all sides.
Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he was “embarrassed” and pledged America’s support in holding those responsible.
In a separate statement later on Tuesday, Blinken and his French, German, Italian and UK counterparts condemned the attack “in the strongest terms”, and pledged support for the Iraq investigation. .
“We are united in our view that attacks on U.S. and Confederate personnel and resources will not be tolerated,” the statement said.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said the “terrorist act aimed at the Kurdistan region is aimed at creating chaos” and vowed to keep Iraq from being a “backyard” where regional conflict plays out. out.
‘Rocket barrage’
Iran also condemned the attack, saying it was opposed to any actions that damaged Iraqi security, denying suggestions from some Iraqi officials that it had any connection with the lesser-known group. celebrity who claimed responsibility for the fatal incident.
“Iran regards Iraq ‘s stability and security as a key issue for the region… and rejects any action that would disturb the peace and order of that country,” Iran’ s Foreign Ministry Policy Saeed Khatibzadeh told the media. of the state.
The wreck of 107-millimeter (4.2-inch) rockets – the same standard used in recent attacks in Baghdad – was fired on Monday afternoon from about eight kilometers (five miles) west of Erbil.
State spox on Erbil rocket attack: it would be too early to talk about revenge before we know exactly what happened…
reserved right to respond in a time and place of our choosing in accordance with our partnership with Iraq.– Laura Rozen (@lrozen) February 16, 2021
They appeared to be targeting an military base inside Erbil airport that will host foreign troops deployed as part of a U.S.-led coalition that has helped Iraq fighting the ISIL group (ISIS) since 2014.
But they hit across the northwest region, including residential areas where five civilians were injured, Erbil’s health steering group told AFP news agency.
Coalition defense Wayne Marotto said three rockets hit Erbil airport and killed one civilian contractor, which he said was neither Iraqi nor U.S. nationals.
Nine others were injured, including eight civilian contractors and one U.S. soldier, he said.
Erbil residents inspect a roof damaged after a rocket attack on U.S.-led forces at Erbil International Airport and near Monday night [Azad Lashkari/Reuters]Regional tension
An umbrella group said Awliya al-Dam (Guardians of Blood) was the attacker and in a follow-up statement Tuesday said they would continue to attack U.S. forces in Iraq.
Over the past year, about a dozen previously unheard of forms have applied for rocket attacks on Western diplomatic and security bases.
U.S. and Iraqi officials have told AFP they believe such facts are a “smokescreen” entity for more prominent pro-Iranian groups, including Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq.
These groups are members of Hashd al-Shaabi, a state-backed armed network whose pro-Iran members often work independently of the government. The group, also known as Popular Movement Forces (PMF) was fighting in the front line against ISIL.
In a move away from the hawkish campaign against Iran under Donald Trump, the administration of President Joe Biden – who is looking at a renewed nuclear deal with Tehran – said he would not hurry to judge or take action.
“Certainly, we have seen these attacks in the past. We have seen the responsibility of the Iraqi militia and Iranian-backed militias,” Blinken said in a separate interview with Public Radio. National on Tuesdaydayda
“But so far, it’s too early to know who is to blame for this one,” he said.
The State Department said Ned Price said these attacks had been heightened by the previous administration’s decision to secede diplomatically from Iran.
Since Iraq declared victory over ISIL in late 2017, the U.S.-led coalition presence has been reduced to less than 3,500 troops, 2,500 of whom are Americans.
Since Iraq declared victory over ISIL in late 2017, the presence of a U.S.-led coalition has been reduced to less than 3,500 troops, of which 2,500 are Americans [File: Azad Lashkari/Reuters]
Most are based at an arms base at Erbil airport, a coalition official told AFP, adding that the gradual pull-down had left “gaps” in the security structure.
Erbil has rarely been attacked, although Iranian forces fired missiles at the same airport last January, just days after Washington attacked Iranian General Qassem Soleimani at Baghdad airport. .