Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), has strongly condemned the assassination attempt on a senior KDP official in the Garmian region, labeling the act as a "terrorist act" and pledging that the perpetrators will face justice.

In a phone conversation with Akram Salih, the head of the KDP branch in Garmian, who survived the attack, Barzani expressed relief over Salih's safety. “The perpetrators behind this incident will definitely pay the price for their destructive act," Barzani stated, according to a statement from Barzani Headquarters.

The attack occurred early Monday morning when a bomb targeted Salih's vehicle. "It appears the car was detonated remotely. It was completely destroyed by fire. Fortunately, I am safe, though some Peshmerga personnel with me sustained minor injuries," Salih reported.

The Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) announced that the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) was responsible for the attempt on Salih's life. "In their latest act of aggression on July 15, 2024, they targeted the vehicle of a senior party official in Kalar city with an attached bomb," the KRSC statement said.

The KRSC has accused the PKK of various violent acts over the past three years, including assassinations of citizens and party members, burning public places, markets, and malls, and involvement in drug trafficking and other illegal activities both regionally and internationally.

"This destructive group has targeted several citizens and members of the Kurdistan defense forces in the past three years, some of whom were martyred and some of their destructive actions were unsuccessful and foiled," the KRSC statement added.

The KRSC warned that the PKK's actions jeopardize the region's future, promising that any continued aggression would not go unanswered, holding the group's leadership accountable for any consequences.

The KDP and the KRSC have pledged to enhance security measures and ensure that such acts of terrorism are prevented in the future. The region's authorities are currently investigating the incident and are committed to bringing those responsible to justice.