LONDON: Syria’s Foreign Ministry condemned the “terrorist attack” on President Nechirvan Barzani’s residence in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, saying it threatens security and stability in both Iraq and the broader Middle East.
Security sources in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq reported that a drone strike targeted Barzani’s residence on Saturday evening.
The attack drew condemnation from the US, France, Qatar, Jordan and the UAE.
Syria said that such actions, deemed “hostile and illegal,” undermine stability in Iraq. It reaffirmed its support for Iraq’s territorial integrity and rejected any armed interference in its internal affairs, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency.
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The US State Department has accused militias linked to Iran of carrying out the attack.
The US State Department has accused militias linked to Iran of carrying out the attack.
The armed groups have launched several drone attacks against US military bases in Iraq and Syria since the US and Israel initiated a joint military campaign against Iran a month ago.
They have also targeted civilian sites, including the airports in Baghdad and Irbil.
Meanwhile, Syria's assistant defense minister said on Sunday that his country's forces had repelled a drone attack from Iraq targeting one of Syria's last US military bases.
"Earlier today, the US base in Qasrak, located on our territory, was attacked by four drones launched from Iraqi territory," Sipan Hamo said on X, adding that "the drones were shot down without casualties".
"We hold Iraq responsible and call upon it to prevent the recurrence of attacks that threaten our stability."
The attack came a day after Syria's army said it repelled another drone attack from Iraq aimed at Al-Tanf, a base in the southeast which used to house US forces.
Earlier this week, the Syrian military said another base in the northeast was also targeted by a missile attack from Iraq, with an Iraqi official saying a local armed group was behind it.
Iraq has arrested four people in connection with that attack.
In recent months, American forces have withdrawn from the Al-Tanf base, as well as Shadadi in the northeastern province of Hasakeh, and had begun withdrawing from the Qasrak base, also located in Hasakeh.
