Turkish soldier killed in Zilkan military base attack

Iraq 09:09 AM - 2021-04-15

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A Turkish soldier has been killed in a rocket attack on Zilkan military base in Nineveh province on Wednesday night, the the Turkish defense ministry said in a statement.

 

“One of our heroic brothers was killed in the attack” on the Turkish base at Bashiqa outside the city of Mosul, the ministry said, adding that three rockets had been fired but only one reached its target.

 

A 12 year-old Iraqi child was injured when another of the rockets landed in a nearby village.

 

Four rockets were fired at the Zilkan military base, 10 km far from the town of Bashiqa and home to Turkish personnel. One of the rockets landed inside the base and the other three landed just outside it, Sardar Yahya, mayor of the nearby town of Shekhan said.

 

Shortly before the Bashiqa attack, some tens of kilometers away, a drone attack targeted the Erbil International Airport, where US troops are based.

 

It was not immediately clear who carried out the two attacks.

 

Turkey has maintained a military presence around Bashiqa, despite calls from Baghdad to leave.

 

The Presidency of the Kurdistan Region condemned both attacks.

 

The KRG Presidency said in a statement: 

 

"We strongly condemn the terrorist attacks that targeted Erbil International Airport and a base hosting Turkey’s forces in Bashiqa tonight.

 

There are no justifications for these attacks, which will only lead to further tensions and destabilization of Iraq, and threaten its highest national interests.

 

It is important to take the continuation of these attacks seriously. The Kurdistan Region and Iraq’s Federal Government must strengthen coordination and cooperation, with the support of the International Coalition, in order to confront the groups that are behind such attacks. These groups must be prevented from jeopardizing the peace and stability of the country."

 

 

 

PUKmedia