Iran-backed militias claimed responsibility for the attack after Turkish officials said no injuries or damage had been reported.
The rockets targeted a Turkish military base in northern Iraq, said officials in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region and an official in Turkey’s defense ministry.
An Iranian-backed militia, the Islamic Resistance Ahrar al-Iraq Brigades — part of Iraq’s Iran-backed militia Popular Mobilization Forces — immediately claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s attacks. Turkish civil servant.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, did not provide further details.
According to a statement by the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) anti-terrorism department, at least eight rockets were fired at the Turkish Zirkan military base in Nineveh province, just outside KRG-controlled territory, and two rockets were fired. hit the base itself. .
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar denied the incident, saying the base had been attacked “from time to time” prompting retaliatory strikes. He said Turkish soldiers in northern Iraq were “fighting there with increased determination and determination.”
Turkey launched its latest operation against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Iraq last April. The PKK he launched an armed rebellion in southeastern Turkey in 1984, killing more than 40,000 people.
The PKK maintains training bases and sanctuaries in Kurdish areas of northern Iraq. Turkish forces carry out frequent airstrikes against PKK targets.
The group has been designated a “terrorist” group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.
Ankara has established several bases in northern Iraq. Much to the displeasure of officials in Baghdad and some of his KRG officials, the KRG has not officially condemned the Turkish military presence. Turkish installations have occasionally been targeted by rocket attacks.
The Iraqi government has frequently condemned Turkey’s military presence, often describing it as illegal.
