UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday urged Iran not to use unnecessary force against protesters to stop nationwide protests that began after the young woman’s death in police custody.
Iran launches drone and missile strikes on targets of anti-Iranian Kurdish faction in northern Iraq
Iran carried out drone and missile attacks on the targets of the anti-Iranian Kurdish faction in northern Iraq. 13 people died and 58 others were injured in these attacks. These attacks have come at a time when protests are taking place in Iran against the custodial death of a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman. Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI) member Soran Noori said Iran carried out the attacks early Wednesday, centered in Koya, 60 km east of Erbil. The KDPI is an anti-left armed group in Iran.
Iraq’s Foreign Ministry and the Kurdistan Regional Government have condemned the attacks. Iran’s state-run news agency and other broadcasters said the country’s Revolutionary Guard had targeted some of the separatist group’s positions in northern Iraq with missiles and drones. Iran’s state-run news agency Irna quoted Revolutionary Guard General Hassan Hassanzada as saying that 185 Basiji (Iranian militia) were injured in attacks with axes and knives during the conflict.
Iranian drone targeted around Koya
Hasanzada claimed that the rioters broke the skull of a Basij member. He told that five Basiji have been admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital. Nouri said Iranian drones targeted military camps, homes, offices and other areas around Koya. He said that the attacks by Iran are still going on. A spokesman for Iraq’s foreign ministry said in Baghdad that the Iranian ambassador is expected to be summoned for a diplomatic complaint about the attack.
Missile attack in Kaladija area
A KDPI official, keeping the identity a secret, told the Associated Press that after the first series of attacks, Iran fired shells at seven targets in Koya’s stronghold of Kaladija. The party has a politburo in the Kaladija area. An Associated Press journalist noticed that ambulances were moving around Koya after the attack. Significantly, Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard had attacked Kurdish targets with guns and drones on Saturday and Monday as well.
Protest against murder of Kurdish girl
The attack was carried out in response to the ongoing protests against the killing of a 22-year-old Kurdish girl in Iran. The girl was taken into custody by Dharmachar police. Iraq’s UN Assistance Mission tweeted that Iraq should not be considered its ownership where neighbors regularly violate its sovereignty. The mission said the rocket was an act of diplomatic negligence that would have disastrous effects.
United Nations said – do not use force on the protesters
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday urged Iran not to use unnecessary force against protesters to stop nationwide protests that began after the young woman’s death in police custody. Guterres said through a spokesman that the authorities should conduct an impartial investigation into the death of Mahsa Amini. Significantly, protests against Amini’s death, which began on September 17, have spread to at least 46 cities, towns and villages in Iran. At least 41 protesters and police personnel have died in these demonstrations.
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