Citizens of Erbil protest in front of the United Nations headquarters to condemn the Iranian attack

On January 16, 2024, thousands in Erbil, the Kurdistan Region's capital, rallied at the United Nations headquarters, condemning the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's aggressive missile strike the previous night. The attack, using long-range missiles, caused casualties and fatalities among the citizens of Erbil.
 

Amidst the demonstrators and before the media, the Erbil Governor delivered a speech addressing the United Nations representative, ambassadors, diplomatic mission representatives, Iraqi parliament, federal government, civil society organizations, and the global public. He stated, "The Iranian Revolutionary Guard's pretexts for the attack are groundless and untrue. Their unjust actions lack justification; they solely targeted civilians."
 

The Erbil Governor emphasized, "Erbil has consistently embodied coexistence, peace, and hospitality for refugees and victims, conveying the values of humanity, life, and prosperity in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq."
 

In his statement, he asserted, "The recurrent assaults on the city, occurring without justification, flagrantly violate the principles of sovereignty and stability. These attacks pose a threat to the lives of ordinary citizens, civilians, and innocents.”
 

In an additional remark, he stated, "The repeated attacks on the city and its residents, devoid of justification, unequivocally breach the principles of sovereignty and stability, leading to the devastation of ordinary lives, civilians, and innocents. These actions can be categorized as both intimidation and a form of genocide. While our stance advocates peace and good neighborliness, theirs is conveyed through missiles and planes devoid of pilots and purpose."
 

The Erbil Governor emphasized, "On behalf of all sects, intellectuals, teachers, merchants, and the people of Erbil, we vehemently urge against remaining silent regarding the targeting of our city, the loss of citizens, and the perpetration of these perilous and unjust actions. This constitutes a blatant crime against humanity, religion, and life. We must put an end to the attacks and crimes inflicted upon our city and citizens without culpability. The unwarranted killing of civilians is an act of cowardice and terrorism. May God condemn the deceivers and slanderers."
 

On the night of Monday, January 15, the city of Erbil was subjected to ballistic missile attacks by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, which resulted in the martyrdom and injury of a number of civilians.