The President of Iraq, Fuad Masum, has issued a written statement on the deadly attack by Iran on two Kurdish parties in Koye (Hewler) on Saturday.

Masum said the attack “represents a dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of the country’s security”. 

The president added he felt "sorrow and concern because the attack has meant that many unarmed civilians, most of them women and children have fallen martyrs and a large number have been injured".

Masum also said that “excessive force is not a useful approach or an alternative to peaceful dialogue" and he added he hopes "the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran understanding the usefulness of opening the door of dialogue and understanding with national forces in the interest of the people and the neighboring country of Iran".

The missiles hit the headquarters of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDP-I) and the Iran East Kurdistan Democratic Party (HDK).