DI Condemns Turkey and Iran Attacks on Kurdistan Region, Iraq

DI is deeply concerned over the Turkish and Iranian military actions inside Kurdistan region in Northern Iraq.

DI urges both the Turkish and Iranian authorities to respect the territorial integrity of Iraq, to refrain from taking any military actions that could undermine regional peace and stability, and to fulfill their international obligations by ensuring respect for International law and International humanitarian law.

The case:
According to the information received, on August 18 and 21, 2011 Turkish warplanes attacked 60 targets in the mountains border areas of Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the first civilian causalities reported so far are seven civilians, including women and children.
On another front, the Iranian forces are shelling the border regions between Iraq (Kurdistan Region) and Iran, and the Islamic Republic of Iran plans to block the water of all the rivers heading towards Iraq, particularly those flowing into Kurdistan Region.

DI Views:
Defend International expresses concern over the recent military actions undertaken by Turkey and Iran on Iraqi territory. The organization condemns the Turkish Army s attacks against unarmed civilians. The killing of civilians and the destruction of homes and other civilian properties represent a gross violation of the Geneva conventions. Besides, the air strikes can be considered as a serious disrespect of the Iraqi sovereignty and the safety and welfare of civilians in the region.

In addition these operations are in direct violation of international law, notably Article 2(4) Charter of the United Nations, an important part of the Customary International law, which is binding to all states, and the Kellogg-Briand Pact (also known as the Pact of Paris after the city where it was signed on August 27, 1928).

DI Demands:
Defend International calls on Iraq s president, Iraq s Prime Minister, the president of Kurdistan Region in Iraq, and the head of Kurdistan Regional government to provide protection for civilians Kurds and to urge the Turkish military to immediately stop its air strikes, and any military operations carried out by Iran or Turkey should end immediately.

DI urges the Turkish and Iranian authorities to:
* Exercise restraint;
* Respect the territorial integrity of Iraq;
* Refrain from taking any military action that could undermine regional peace and stability; and
* Fulfill their international obligations to ensure respect for International law and International humanitarian law.

Defend International reiterates the importance of reinforcing dialogue, and it will continue to monitor the development in this region closely.

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With thanks and appreciation

Defend International
www.defendinternational.org

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