SULAIMANI (ESTA) — A high-ranking Iraqi delegation is set to visit Sulaimani on Saturday to probe yesterday’s suspected Turkish drone attack on Sulaimani International Airport, an informed source told Esta.
Under the direction of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, a top Iraqi delegation led by National Security Advisor Qassim al-Araaji, National Security Agency Chief Hamid al-Shatri, Counter-Terrorism Agency Chief Abdul Wahab al-Saadi, and Deputy Commander of Joint Operations Brigadier Qais al-Muhamadawi will arrive in Suliamani, the source said.
A suspected Turkish drone strike targeted the periphery of Sulaimani International Airport yesterday but resulted in no casualties except for causing a fire which was immediately tackled by the local authorities.
Sulaimani Security Forces (Asayish) announced in a statement that it had initiated investigations and set to address the public about the probes’ results.
The attack also coincided with Turkey’s airspace embargo on Sulalimani over the alleged intensification of the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) activities in the governorate.
Ankara’s embargo is based on allegations that the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), the dominant party in Sulaimani province, supports the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in the province, allowing it to operate freely.
The PKK is a Kurdish group fighting for broader rights in Turkey which Ankara, the United States, and the European Union have designated a “terrorist” organization.
