In Iraq, there is no doubt that Turkey is responsible for the attack on a picnic site in the district of Zakho on Wednesday. Nine people were killed in the bombing, including two children, and dozens of people were injured. The Iraqi parliament is expected to discuss sanctions against Turkey at a special session on Saturday. Meanwhile, protests outside the Iraqi embassy in Baghdad have continued since Wednesday evening. An angry crowd is demanding the closure of the embassy and the withdrawal of all Turkish troops from Iraq.

In Turkey, the reactions are restrained, and the massacre is not mentioned in today's newspapers. The Turkish Foreign Ministry denied any responsibility on Wednesday and referred to the PKK. Today, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu told the TV channel TRT that Turkey had never attacked civilians, that was known worldwide. "According to the Turkish armed forces, there has been no attack by us on any civilians," Çavuşoğlu said. He assumed that the attack had been committed by "terrorist organisations".

The German Federal Government has issued a statement to this effect. Commenting on the attack, a spokesperson for the Federal Foreign Office said today: "The Federal Government condemns the attack on civilians in Dohuk province, in which several people died and many more were injured. Attacks on civilians are completely unacceptable, and their protection must be a top priority under all circumstances. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families of those killed. To the survivors of the attack, we wish them a speedy and full recovery.

The circumstances of the attack and the responsibility for it must be clarified urgently. The Federal Government attaches the utmost importance to respect for Iraqi state sovereignty and international law. We will continue to support Iraq, including the Kurdistan-Iraq Region, particularly in security matters and the stabilization of the country."