Delan Ghafoor, the Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee in the Iraqi Parliament, has strongly condemned Turkey’s drone attack in Sulaymaniyah (Silêmanî) on Friday, which killed Kurdish journalists Hêro Bahadîn and Gülistan Tara.
Ghafoor called on the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to take immediate measures against the perpetrators, describing the attack as a blatant violation of international law and Iraq’s sovereignty.
“We view these attacks on journalists and civilians, who pose no threat to any party, as unjustified crimes and clear violations of international law and agreements,” Ghafoor stated. She emphasised that these attacks also represent a breach of Iraq’s sovereignty, urging all parties to respect the freedom of journalists.
Ghafoor expressed concern that the continued silence and lack of serious response to these attacks have allowed them to persist. “The periodic continuation of these attacks is due to the lack of serious reactions. If these incidents are not properly addressed, they will continue unabated. The KRG must take precautionary measures against these assaults and immediately hold the perpetrators accountable,” she urged.
The incident has sparked a strong backlash, with growing concerns over the safety of journalists in Iraqi Kurdistan and the broader implications of Turkey’s military operations in the region. Ghafoor’s statement highlights the urgent need for action to protect press freedom and uphold international law.
