On 8 September 2018,[1] Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) launched seven[1] Fateh-110 missiles at the headquarters of two Iranian Kurdish opposition parties in the town of Koya, in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish[2] region 300 km north of Iraq's capital, Baghdad.[2] Initial reports from Iranian news agencies listed 11 killed people.[3] Later reports indicated 18 people were killed.[4]
| 2018 Iraqi Kurdistan missile strike | |
|---|---|
| Part of Western Iran clashes (2016–present) | |
| Type | Missile strike |
| Location | 36°03′52″N 44°36′13″E / 36.0644°N 44.6036°E |
| Target | Headquarters of Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan and Kurdistan Democratic Party |
| Date | 8 September 2018 |
| Executed by | Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps |
| Casualties | 18 killed 50 injured |
  Koy Sanjaq Location of the KDPI/KDP base | |
Background
editIn the months preceding the attack, some attacks were carried out by Iraqi Kurdish rebels on the borders of the Islamic Republic of Iran in order to carry out acts of sabotage in the provinces such as West Azerbaijan Province, Kermanshah and Kurdistan.[5] Therefore, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fought against them at the Kamyaran border the previous week.[6]
According to the IRGC, the target of the missile strike was described as intending to bring an end to "terrorist and aggressive actions against Iran". The attack took place after ignoring serious warnings by officials of the Kurdistan Regional Government about Iran’s determination to dismantle their bases.[1]
Casualties
editAccording to initial reports the missile strike led to the death of 12 people and 50 others injured, party officials stated.[7] Later reporting indicated the death toll had risen to 18, six of whom were members of the central committee of KDP-Iran. Rahman Piroti was among them.[4] Also, leaders of DPIK, Mustafa Mouloudi and Khalid Azizi were wounded.[7]
Reaction
editOn 15 September 2018, the rebel group tried to attack Iran embassy in France. They burned Iran's flag in front of the embassy and broke the windows with stones. The Rebel group was identified as Kurdish activists, according to Reuters.[8]
On 17 September 2018, 10 members of the anarchist group Rouvikonas riding motorbikes hurled bottles of paint at the outer walls of the Iranian Embassy in Athens.[9][10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Iranian Guards claims missile attack on Iraq-based Kurd dissidents". Reuters. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
- ^ a b Staff Writer. "'11 dead' after rockets hit Iranian Kurdish offices in Iraq". aljazeera. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
- ^ Vahdat, Amir. "Iran Guard claims missile attack on separatist Kurds in Iraq". The Washington Post. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
- ^ a b van Wilgenburg, Wladimer (10 September 2018). "Iranian missiles hit Kurdish opposition in 'message to Trump'". www.kurdistan24.net. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
- ^ Staff Writer. "Iranian Guards claims missile attack on Kurdish rebels in Iraq". aljazeera. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
- ^ "Firing 7 missiles at the headquarters of the terrorists". tasnimnews. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
- ^ a b Alkhshali, Hamdi; Mohammed, Muwafaq (8 September 2018). "At least a dozen killed in attack on Iranian Kurdish opposition headquarters in Iraq". CNN. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
- ^ Bolton, Andrew. "Iran accuses French police of slow reaction to attack on Paris embassy". reuters. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
- ^ Kokkinidis, Tasos. "Greek Anarchists Target Iranian Embassy in Athens (video)". greekreporter. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
- ^ "Iran's Embassy in Athens Damaged in Attack: Report". tasnimnews. Retrieved 17 September 2018.