At least nine people died and 23 others were injured in a bombing attack carried out by Turkish aircraft on a Wednesday near the town of Zajo in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, according to local authorities. The strike targeted multiple areas around Zajo, with reports suggesting a travel group of around 200 tourists may have been affected. The travelers reportedly originated from Baghdad, where children were among them, according to Kurdish broadcaster Rudaw.
Muhsin Bashir, the mayor of Zaho, attributed the incident to Turkish actions, noting multiple attacks on the village of Paraj. He suggested that suspected PKK members in the vicinity could have triggered the shelling. The Iraqi prime minister, Mostafa Al-Kadhimi, condemned the attack as a brutal violation of Iraqi sovereignty and affirmed that Baghdad reserves the right to respond. He emphasized that Turkey’s strikes threaten the safety of Iraqi citizens and that all necessary measures will be taken to protect the people, as stated on his official communications.
Turkey rejected the accusations. Iraqi authorities maintained that they oppose any harm to civilians and are conducting counterterrorism operations in line with international law. The Turkish Foreign Ministry described the strikes as actions against a terrorist organization and criticized the remarks as provocative rhetoric that distorts the truth. Authorities urged restraint and cooperation in identifying the actual perpetrators of the tragedy.
UN calls for comprehensive investigation
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) condemned the deadly shelling near Zajo and expressed condolence to the families of the victims. In their briefing, UNAMI noted that civilians remain vulnerable to the indiscriminate effects of explosive weapons and stressed that international law prohibits attacks directed at civilian populations.
UNAMI also underscored the importance of respecting Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity at all times. It called for a thorough, comprehensive investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack and to hold accountable those responsible.
During a Security Council briefing, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN special envoy to Iraq, urged all parties to end human rights abuses immediately. She described the current situation as risky for the Iraqi state, highlighting that ongoing gunfire and missile use should not become a normal part of everyday life in the country.
In mid-April, Turkey announced a renewed offensive against PKK targets in Iraqi Kurdistan. Baghdad described the campaign as a national security threat because it was not coordinated with local authorities. The Turkish army has long conducted operations against the PKK and its allies in northern Syria since the breakdown of a ceasefire in July 2015, and this new phase marks a continued pattern of cross-border actions that concern regional stability and civilian safety.
Sources: UNAMI statements and official government releases attributed to Iraqi authorities and Turkish officials, with ongoing monitoring by regional media outlets. Citations provided to reflect the positions of each party and to contextualize the evolving security dynamics in the region.