Arab League, US, Germany condemn Zakho attack

The Zakho strike led to protests outside Turkey's diplomatic missions in Iraq.

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The Arab League has condemned Wednesday's (July 20) attack on the Zakho district in Duhok province of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) that killed nine civilians.

Holding Turkey responsible for the attack, the organization said it supports Iraq and fully rejects "Turkish aggression on Iraqi sovereignty, which represents a clear violation of international law, and a flagrant violation of the principles of good neighborliness."

"Ankara has to reconsider its positions and maintain the principle of good neighborliness in its relations with the countries of the region, and refrain from carrying out military operations inside the territories of Arab countries under any pretext," said the statement.

Statements by the US and Germany

Ned Price, the spokesperson for the US State Department, released a statement to condemn the attack.

"The United States condemns the attack earlier today in the Dohuk province of Iraq, which killed and injured civilians," said the statement.

"The killing of civilians is unacceptable, and all states must respect their obligations under international law, including the protection of civilians.

"We maintain our strong support for Iraq's sovereignty and its security, stability and prosperity, including that of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region,"

Also, a spokesperson for Germany's Foreign Ministry said the incident should be investigated to reveal those responsible for the attack.

Germany attaches great importance to Iraq's sovereignty and attacks on civilians cannot be accepted, said the spokesperson quoted by Deutsche Welle (DW).

On Wednesday, a tourist resort in the Barakh (Perex) village was targeted in artillery shelling. Nine civilians, including a child, were killed and over 20 people were injured. All the casualties were citizens of Iraq.

Turkey, which has been continuing a military offensive in the KRG territory since mid-April, denied responsibility for the attack, blaming the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Officials from the Baghdad government and the KRG, however, held Turkey responsible for the strike. (SD/VK)