Diplomats from Turkey Attacked in Erbil

An attack has been launched against a restaurant in Erbil, the capital city of Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government. Different sources give different information as to the nature of the attack as well as the number of casualties.

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An attack has been launched against a restaurant named Hokkabaz in Dream City in Erbil, the capital city of Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government.

While Sputnik has announced that one person from Turkey has made the following remarks about the attack:

According to the information shared by the restaurant owner, after the consulate workers entered the restaurant, a civilian assaulters carrying two weapons opened fire on the consulate workers by targeting them specifically.

In a statement by Erbil Directorate of Security, it has been stated, "In an armed attack launched in a restaurant in Erbil today, a diplomat from Turkey and one citizen of Iraq have lost their lives, one citizen has been injured."

Speaking to Sputnik reporter Hikmet Durgun, Erbil MP Muhammed İlhanlı has also said, "We were in a meeting at the Parliament at the time of incident. All entrances to and exits from the province have been banned due to the attack. All roads have been taken under control so that the assaulter cannot escape. We have not yet known who launched the attack."

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Our one worker has died

Releasing a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey has informed, "One officer from our Erbil Consulate General has fallen martyr in an atrocious attack outside the building of our consulate general today (July 17). Our efforts are continuing in the presence of Iraqi authorities and local authorities to swiftly find the perpetrators of the attack." (EKN/SD)

* Photograph: Yunus Keleş - Erbil/AA