Rocket Attack Hits Kurdish Capital, US Base // FAI ONLINE

Smoke rises over Erbil following a rocket attack which struck a US base near the airport and a residential district in the capital. (Thaier al-Sudani, Reuters)

A local civilian contractor was killed and one US service member was treated for a concussion after several 107 mm rockets landed inside a US military base near the Erbil International Airport just outside of the capital of Kurdistan. Four US civilian contractors were wounded as well. US-led Coalition spokesman Col. Wayne Marotto confirmed the strike on the US base and the casualties involved, giving little detail but promising additional updates. A previously unknown “ghost” militia calling itself “Awlya al Dam” has claimed responsibility for the attack. Kurdish authorities believe the attack came from disputed areas where Iranian-aligned Shiite militias currently operate, either near the city of Kirkuk or the Nineveh Plains.

Local emergency vehicles and US military helicopters swarmed Erbil Airport after the attack, while all commercial aircraft were grounded and incoming flights diverted. At least one errant missile fell short of the airport by two kilometers, landing in a civilian district of Erbil and causing damage to a residential complex and storefronts. There has been no statement from the Pentagon or White House yet, and no military response has yet been reported. Prime Minister Masrour Barzani took to Twitter to condemn the attack in the “strongest possible terms” and to appeal to the public for calm. The prime minister spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister al-Khadimi to urge a joint investigation into the strike. One senior official in the Kurdish defense forces, called the Peshmerga, blamed the network of Iranian-sponsored militias for the attack and vowed that those responsible would be “punished.”

CLICK TO SUPPORT FAI’S WORK IN KURDISTAN

FAI has teams on the ground throughout Kurdistan, partnering with authorities and residents for medical care, education, aid distribution and more.

This has been a tumultuous week for the Iraqi Kurdistan region, beginning with the Turkish military operation in Duhok province, and continuing with the rocket attack in Erbil. Iraqi Kurds feel increasing pressure from both the Turkish and Iranian governments, which have been infringing on Kurdish territory and attacking the Kurdish people since the fall of the ISIS caliphate in Iraq four years ago. It is unclear how the new US administration under President Biden will respond to the latest round of Sh'a militia strikes on a US base, after the last deadly attack on US servicemen in December, 2019 resulted in an escalation with the Trump-led Pentagon that culminated with the assassination of Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander Qasem Soleimani.

We pray that the full truth of responsibility for the attack would come to light, that divine wisdom would be granted to Kurdish, Arab and American leadership regarding their investigations and response, and that the growing cloud over Iraqi Kurdistan would prepare Kurdish hearts to hear and receive Good News of the Prince of Peace.

Maranatha