Turkey rejects responsibility for attack on Iraq's Dohuk that killed 8
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Ankara denies responsibility for the shelling carried out today on the Zakho resort town in Iraqi Kurdistan, claiming that the Turkish military operations were in line with international laws.
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Turkish foreign ministry
Turkey on Wednesday refuted Iraqi state media claims that it had carried out a strike on a mountain resort in Iraq's northern Dohuk province, killing eight tourists and wounding another 23 people, claiming the attack was an act of terror.
The "fierce artillery bombing" hit a resort in Zakho resort town in Iraqi Kurdistan, Iraq state TV said.
Children, including a 1-year-old, were among the victims, according to the Kurdish Health Minister's statement.
Mustafa Aala, who was at the resort when the attack occurred, complained of strikes they witness everywhere they go in the country.
"We go towards the mountainside, there are strikes. We go towards the waterfall, there are strikes. We go towards this side, there are strikes," he said, describing what he saw today as "a scene that I've never seen in my life."
Turkey's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the country was saddened to hear about the victims of the attack, claiming that Ankara took maximum care to avoid civilian casualties or damaging historic and cultural sites in its "counter-terrorism operations" against Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and others.
"Turkey is ready to take every step for the truth to come out," the statement said, adding that Turkish military operations were in line with international laws.
"We call on the Iraqi government to not make remarks influenced by the heinous terrorist organization's rhetoric and propaganda, and to engage in cooperation to uncover the perpetrators of this cruel act," it said.
Turkey continuously carries out air strikes in northern Iraq and has sent commando troops to back its offensives as part of a long-term campaign in Iraq and Syria against the Syrian Kurdish YPG and the Kurdish PKK, which Ankara considers as terrorist groups.
Earlier, Iraq, through its presidency, premiership, and different political parties, condemned Turkey's blatant' aggression on the country.
In addition to the condemning statements, Baghdad recalled its charge d'affaires from Ankara for consultations and summoned the Turkish Ambassador for talks after accusing Ankara of artillery fire that killed nine civilians.
Iraq's National Security Ministerial Council, chaired by Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhemi, also demanded an official apology from Turkey "and the withdrawal of its armed forces from all Iraqi territory."
What happened?
At least six tourists were killed and 26 others were injured after the Turkish military shelled the Zakho resort town in Iraqi Kurdistan, according to a source cited by Sputnik.
"Six tourists were killed, 26 were injured as a result of the fall of artillery shells of the Turkish armed forces on the resort town of Zakho in Iraqi Kurdistan," the source said, adding that tourists were from Arab countries.
The death toll from the attack later increased to nine, including a one-year-old baby.
