UNSC discusses Zakho attack: 'No one wishes further escalation'

Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert (Photo: UN/File)

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The United Nations Security Council yesterday (July 26) convened to discuss the July 20 bombardment of Zakho (Zaxo), Iraqi Kurdistan, which killed nine civilians.

The Baghdad government has blamed Türkiye for the strike and demanded a formal apology and withdrawal of its troops from its territory. Ankara, however, denies responsibility for the attack and says it's ready to help shed light on the incident.

Türkiye has been carrying out a military offensive targeting the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the Kurdistan territory since mid-April.

Over 22,000 violations in four years

Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein told the country's parliament on July 23 that Türkiye had perpetrated over 22,700 violations against Iraq's sovereignty since 2018, and Iraq had handed 296 protest notes to Türkiye during this period, as conveyed by Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN secretary-general's special representative for Iraq, during yesterday's session.

At the same session in Iraq's parliament, the Security and Defense Committee recommended that PKK elements should be removed from Iraq, Türkiye should withdraw its troops, and Iraqi federal troops should be deployed to the border areas. Also, security agreements between Baghdad and Ankara should be canceled, according to the committee.

"In essence: while no one wishes for further escalation, Iraq demands that Türkiye withdraws its forces from all Iraqi lands and calls for an investigation," said Hennis-Plasschaert.

"Attacks must stop"

"This horrific attack on a well-known and clearly identifiable tourist site demonstrates a shocking disregard for civilian life and for the universally accepted standards of international humanitarian and human rights law which seek to protect civilians," she further remarked.

"While all parties to any conflict must take all feasible precautions to avoid harm to civilians at all times, this was clearly not adhered to.

"In my conversation with Iraq's Prime Minister yesterday, he once again emphasized the importance of a transparent and thorough investigation: independent or jointly.

"It is vital, he said, to put a stop to speculations, denials, misunderstandings and rising tensions. Meanwhile, I do understand that Türkiye is also ready to address the issue jointly, with Iraq, in order to determine exactly what happened.

"Meanwhile, I do understand that Türkiye is also ready to address the issue jointly, with Iraq, in order to determine exactly what happened."

"... Iraq rightfully rejects the notion that it can be treated as an arena for external and regional rivalries - as an arena where neighbors, and any other actor for that matter, routinely, and with impunity, violate its sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Iraq calls for an international investigation

Speaking at the session, FM Hussein welcomed the communiqué that the Council adopted on Monday condemning the attack. He said it was a military aggression against the security of Iraq and a violation of international law.

Hussein called for an international investigation into the incident. He also asked the Council to uphold Article 35 of the Charter and called for a resolution that would oblige Türkiye to withdraw all of its forces.

Türkiye is broadening its presence in Iraq, he said, adding that he expected Türkiye will, as a pretext, link events to the PKK.

"Smear campaign"

Turkey's charge d'affaires to the UN, Öncü Keçeli, expressed condolences to the people and the government of Iraq.

Rejecting the allegations and voicing support for the Iraqi authorities in their investigations, he said it was not the first time there was a "smear campaign" against his country.

Türkiye has always supported Iraq's stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said, adding that country was being breached by "terrorist organizations" and not by Türkiye. (SD/VK)