Iraqi FM blames Turkey for stalling investigation over Zakho bombardment

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein accused the Turkish government of impeding the investigation of a bombardment that killed nine tourists and injured 23 in a summer resort in Northern Iraq’s Zakho last month. 

In an interview with Rudaw TV, Fuad Hussein said that “Turkey neither apologized nor gave importance to this issue. They only mentioned in the media a joint investigation but did not send an official letter to us.” 

After the attack, the Iraqi government immediately blamed Turkey for the attack as evidence showed the attack was carried out using 155 mm artillery shells, an ammunition that is only used by Turkey in the region.

Turkey denied responsibility and accused the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) but pledged to help Iraqi authorities to investigate the incident. 

But the Iraqi foreign minister said the Turkish government is yet to open an investigation over the matter. 

“Turkey neither apologized nor gave importance to this issue. They only mentioned in the media a joint investigation but did not send an official letter to us,” Fuad Hussein said. 

According to Hussein, “Turkey observes Iraq’s internal situation, its position in the world and sees itself as strong. Therefore, it does not not offer any plans to fix the problem.”  

Turkey regularly carries out air strikes in northern Iraq and has sent commandos to support its offensives as part of a long-running campaign to combat Kurdish militants of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) who has been fighting against Turkey since 1984.