Tourists from central and southern Iraq who were visiting a popular picnic site in the Derkare neighbourhood of Zakho were the victims of a barrage of shells from the occupying Turkish army.
Turkish artillery fire targeted local tourists who were visiting a popular picnic site in the village of Perex, in Derkare sub-district of Zakho (Zaxo) district in Duhok province earlier today. According to the latest information, the death toll rose to 9 while 22 others injured in the attack have been hospitalized.
The Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) released a statement on the deadly Turkish attack and said that the victims were tourists from the central and southern parts of Iraq. It noted that the village of Perex was targeted by mortar and howitzer artillery for the third time in July.
“We have always warned the international community that the Turkish state’s operations in the area are a cause of instability and destruction. The Turkish army has been using chemical weapons in its operations and the lack of a response by international organizations and states has emboldened Turkey to carry out massacres in the region,” KNK responded.
The statement added, “Turkey has stepped up its attacks against both Iraq and Syria and is continuing to kill civilians in both countries. This latest massacre of civilians at the hands of the Turkish occupying forces is unacceptable and must be pushed back against.”
