The residence of Nechirvan Barzani, who is president of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq, was targeted in a drone attack on Saturday, in what is a serious escalation as the Iran war continues to spread throughout the region.
The drone struck Barzani’s home in Duhok, located in northern Iraq. The attack resulted in damage to Barzani’s house but no injuries, according to the Associated Press.
No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but Iraq has vowed to investigate. Iran, which backs militias in the country, distanced itself from the strike, calling it a “terrorist act.”
It was internationally condemned, including by the United States, who said Iranian-backed militias were behind the attack.
“The United States unequivocally and forcefully condemns the despicable terrorist attacks by Iran’s terrorist militia proxies in Iraq on the private residence of Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani,” State Department spokesman Thomas Pigott said in a statement. “These actions by Iran and its proxies are a direct assault on Iraq’s sovereignty, stability, and unity. We categorically reject the indiscriminate and cowardly terrorist acts that Iran and its terrorist proxies have unleashed in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and throughout Iraq.”
French President Emmanuel Macron also slammed the attack, calling it a “highly concerning development” but declining to mention any Iranian-sponsored actors.
Barzani leads the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq. The region has been hit hard by attacks from Iranian proxies since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran.
Those proxy forces have targeted the U.S. consulate in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, and Kurdistan’s security forces, the Peshmerga.
An Iranian missile attack on Tuesday killed six Peshmerga members and injured 20 others.
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In the wake of Saturday’s attack, Iraqi Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani demanded that the Iraqi government “curb the continued terrorist attacks,” while also calling for international support in order to protect the region.
“We reserve every right to confront these terrorists, and we will take whatever steps are necessary to protect the Kurdistan Region,” Barzani added.
