SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region — In a statement on Tuesday, the United Nations Security Council expressed concern and condemned the recent attacks in Iraq that killed 17 civilians and policemen.
The UN Security Council said in a statement they “condemned in the strongest terms” the recent “cowardly terrorist attacks” in Kirkuk and Diyala provinces on civilians and police forces earlier this week.
It adds that ISIS militants carried out the attacks on Sunday and Monday, killing nine members of the Iraqi Federal Police in Kirkuk and eight civilians in Diyala province.
“The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of Iraq, and they wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured,” the statement reads.
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their support for Iraq’s security and the continued fight against terrorism, including against ISIL/Da’esh.
Disputed areas between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the central government have become hubs for ISIS sleeper cells, which attack villagers and civilians due to the security gap between the Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army.
“The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice,” the statement added.
Additionally, it called on all States to cooperate actively with the Government of Iraq and all other relevant authorities in accordance with international law and relevant Security Council resolutions.
US Department of Defense spokesperson Patrick Ryder on Tuesday reiterated the Pentagon’s support and “long-standing” relationship with Iraq in countering ISIS.
We continue to work together in that region to confront the threat that ISIS presents
“We continue to work together in that region to confront the threat that ISIS presents,” said Ryder in a press briefing.
“We continue to have an advise/assist mission with Iraq to train their forces in counterterrorism capabilities to confront this threat,” Ryder added.
Although ISIS was declared defeated in Iraq five years ago, its sleeper cells continue to pose threats to the residents of the disputed areas and the security forces in the region.
