Shkoi Kurdistan-
Five Western allies issued a joint statement on Friday condemning this week’s drone attack on Erbil’s airport.
“We are united in our view that attacks on U.S. and Coalition personnel and facilities will not be tolerated and reiterate our steadfast commitment to the fight against [Islamic State] ISIS,” read the statement from France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
They pledged to help the Iraqi government’s investigation “to ensure that those responsible will be held accountable.”
On Wednesday night, Erbil International Airport was hit by an explosives-laden drone. The blast sparked a fire and caused some material damage, but no one was injured. International forces from the global coalition against ISIS are based at the airport.
No group has claimed responsibility.
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani tweeted his appreciation for the united stance from the European and American governments.
“I welcome this clear, unanimous condemnation by friends and partners of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of the recent attack on Erbil,” he stated. “We have a common goal: stability and security for all the Iraqi peoples and victory in the war on ISIS.”
He said his government is committed to “working with our international allies to defeat terrorism – in all its forms.”
In February, a barrage of rockets was fired at Erbil, killing a civilian contractor with the coalition and a civilian. An Iranian-backed Iraqi militia group was blamed for the attack.
Factions within Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), backed by Iran, have demanded the withdrawal of US forces from the country. Baghdad and Washington have agreed the US will pull out its remaining combat troops. There are about 2,500 US forces in Iraq.
