We strongly condemn the bombing of Zakho border areas today [on Wednesday], which killed a number of civilians and tourists from different parts of Iraq and injured several others.

The repeated bombings and the continued fighting between the Turkish army and the PKK on the border areas is utterly unacceptable, as it has undermined the stability of the Kurdistan Region and the security of the international borders of Iraq. It has also led to the evacuation of hundreds of villages in the area.

We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and share their grief. We wish the wounded a speedy recovery. The hospitals and the relevant authorities in the Kurdistan Region are providing all necessary assistance and services to the wounded and those affected.

The Turkish army and the PKK must cease fighting and avoid causing further killings and destruction in the border areas and spare the people of the Kurdistan Region from their warfare and carnage. The Iraqi Federal Government must take all necessary measures to prevent the repetition of such crimes, while Iraq’s soil must not be used to pose threats to the security of neighboring countries.

Nechirvan Barzani
The President of the Kurdistan Region