SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Widespread reactions hit Iraq on Wednesday after the Turkish artilleries shelled a resort in Zakho, Killing at least 9 Arab tourists and wounding 25.
Around 4:00 p.m. local time the Turkish artilleries opened a traumatic shelling, targeting a tourist site in a resort located in Parkhe village in Zakho district of Duhok province, despite the presence of hundreds of Arab tourists who came from southern provinces of the country.
The latest official report about the number of victims released by the Kurdistan Region health ministry showed, that 34 victims were reported and many of them are children, and women as well.
“Four boys, as well as four girls, are among the dead, along with a one-year-old infant,” The Region health ministry said. Overall nine Arab holidayers were killed.
“Most of the wounded are either crippled or faced severe injuries” it added.
The reactions from all sides of Iraqi society continue, it quite outraged the people. Esta has learned, that protests were breaking out in Najaf against the Turkish attack.
The protesters closed the Turkish visa granting center in the city and brought down the Turkish flag under pressure, they set fire to it. A lot of slogans were raised that strongly condemns the attack by the people.
“Erdogan Know your limits and withdraw your troops” was one of the major protester’s slogans.
According to information Esta Media Network has obtained, heavy military forces have been deployed to protect the Turkish embassy in Baghdad which is under an imminent threat to be attacked by the protesters. And rumors circulating on Iraqi social media that tomorrow, the people will demonstrate, storm the streets to stand against the attack.
As an extension of the widespread reactions to the attack, Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr released a statement demanding, to cut all diplomatic relations with Turkey.
“Turkish aggressions on the Northern provinces and the region, are no more acceptable, neither from local nor from outside,” he said in the statement.
He also demanded, to close all the aerial and land borders with Turkey, and complain to the United Nations.
“The security deal with Turkey must be dissolved, it only should valid when Turkey gives precautions to Iraq before carrying any attacks” he added.
While on the other hand, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi in a statement said, “Once again the Turkish forces have carried out a flagrant violation of Iraq’s sovereignty”, adding “Iraq would take any measure to protect its nation, and it has the right to carry out any kinds of reactions”.
