Turkey claims it did not carry out attack on civilians in Iraqi Dohuk
3 Min Read
Turkey blames the recent attack in Iraq on "terrorists" and maintains it 'never asks permission' to carry out military campaigns in Syria.
-
Eight killed in Turkish shelling on popular tourist resort in Iraq's Kurdistan region
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday that Turkey is not responsible for carrying out the attack that took place in the Dohuk province, Northern Iraq, where a strike killed eight and wounded 23 on Wednesday. He also called on Iraqi authorities not to fall for this "trap".
Cavusoglu told state broadcaster TRT Haber the Turkish military operations in Iraq have always been against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), saying the attack on Dohuk was also carried out by what he called terrorists.
Cavusoglu claimed reports blaming Turkey for the attack were attempts by the PKK to hinder Ankara's counter-terrorism.
"The whole world knows we would never carry out an attack on civilians," Cavusoglu said, adding the Turkish military had told his ministry that no such attack was carried out by Turkey.
All of the casualties were tourists, which included three men, three women, and two children. Twenty others were wounded by the four missile strikes.
Iraqi officials accused Turkey of carrying out the offense. Iraqi PM Mustafa Al-Kadhimi said in a statement that “Turkish forces have perpetrated once more a flagrant violation of Iraqi sovereignty," condemning the harm caused to "the life and security of Iraqi citizens" and reserving Iraq's right to retaliate.
— Mustafa Al-Kadhimi مصطفى الكاظمي (@MAKadhimi) July 20, 2022
Turkey responded by blaming "terrorist groups" for carrying out the attack. It said in a statement that it took no part in initiating the missile strikes and condoled its "friendly and brotherly Iraqi people" for the eight casualties.
Irak’ın Dohuk Vilayeti’nde Gerçekleştirilen Saldırı Hk. https://t.co/sxGf1WAFek pic.twitter.com/A3RntNuNSA
— T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı (@TC_Disisleri) July 20, 2022
Turkey says it 'never asks permission' for Syria campaigns
The denial of these accusations coincides with Turkey's declaration that it never asks for permission to carry out an offense against suspected Kurdish militants in Northern Syria.
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in a televised interview on Thursday that "we won't ask anyone for permission in the fight against terrorism. It can happen one night, suddenly."
During the Tehran Summit last Tuesday, Iran and Russia sought to talk Turkey out of effecting an incursion in Syria.
Turkey has used trilateral talks with Iranian and Russian counterparts to make the case for a further Turkish incursion into north-western Syria.
“What we expect from Iran and Russia is to support Turkey in its fight against terrorist organizations,” Erdogan told a press conference following the meeting.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that our goal is for Syria to be able to decide its future without outside interference, adding that "the joint work of Russia, Iran, and Turkey to promote a comprehensive resolution of the crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic is very effective."
"Thanks to the help and support of our countries, the level of violence in Syria has noticeably decreased, peaceful life is being revived, and the economy and the social sphere are gradually being restored. And no less importantly, a real political and diplomatic settlement process has been launched on the basis of UN Security Council Resolution 2254." - Russian President Vladimir Putin
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said that "Syria's sovereignty, stability, and security are a red line, and the illegal US presence in the country is the reason for its instability," saying that "the presence of the Syrian army on the borders is the guarantor of the country's stability."
Read more: Iran, Russia, Turkey: Syrian crisis could only be resolved by Syrians
