TheGovernment of Iraq and United Nations both denounced the attack and ordered an investigation into what had happened.[11][12]
Both the autonomous Kurdish region and federal authorities, includingPrime Minister of IraqMustafa Al-Kadhimi placed the culpability on theTurkish Armed Forces.[13][11] The cabinet instructed the Minister of the Exterior to summon the Turkish envoy to Iraq and to demand its Iraqi counterpart in Turkey to come to Baghdad for consultation.[14] Turkey denied responsibility for the attack and instead suspected terrorist groups to be responsible, offering to open a collaborative investigation into the incident.[15][12]
Turkish consular offices issuing visas were closed down by protests inNajaf as well as inKerbala, and theTurkish Embassy inBaghdad was besieged.[16] The protesters demanded the Turkish ambassador to be expelled.[4]
Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi chaired an emergency meeting with the National Security Council with the goal of filing a complaint to the United Nations, as well as summoning Turkish ambassador.[17][18][19]
TheIraqi Communist Party stated that, ''While calling on international organisations and governments in the world to condemn the barbaric Turkish aggression, we also call on the Iraqi government not to allow this criminal act pass without a diplomatic and political response worthy of the blood of the innocent people, and to ensure that Turkish attacks on Iraqi territory are not repeated.''.[20]
Canada: Canadian Ambassador to Iraq Gregory Galligan said received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "I would like to convey my condolences to all the families and friends of the dead and wounded in today's bombing in Zakho, Iraq."[21]
Germany: A statement by theGerman Foreign Ministry, received by theIraqi News Agency (INA), stated that "Germany condemns the Turkish bombing of civilian sites in Zakho, northern Iraq, which killed a number of defenseless civilians."[22]
Egypt:The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "the Arab Republic of Egypt extends its sincere condolences to brotherly Iraq for the victims of the brutal attack that targeted a tourist resort in the Dohuk Governorate in Iraqi Kurdistan, which resulted in the death and injury of a number of civilian Iraqis."[23]
Saudi Arabia: The Saudi Foreign Ministry expressed "the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's condemnation and denunciation of the attack on brotherly Iraq, which targeted the Dohuk Governorate in northern Iraq.".[25]
Turkey: The spokesperson of the ruling party,Ömer Çelik, said the following about the issue: "The Turkish Armed Forces is the most sensitive army in the world to protect civilians. Even in the most difficult conditions, the Turkish Armed Forces showed this sensitivity. It is clear that it is a typical PKK attack, from the weapon used and the method."[26]
United Kingdom:UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office condemned the bombing, stating "The United Kingdom is deeply concerned about reports of civilian casualties as a result of an attack in Zakho area in Dohuk on July 20," the FCO added "We extend our deepest condolences to those affected and express our support to the Iraqi authorities in their investigation," noting that the United Kingdom "deplores the loss of life and will continue to support the stability of Iraq, including the Kurdistan region of Iraq."[27]
United States:Ned Price,US department of state Spokesperson has condemned the attack, stating "The killing of civilians is unacceptable, and all states must respect their obligations under international law, including the protection of civilians."[28][29]
Arab League: The spokesman for theArab League pointed out that "the Arab League supports Iraq in rejecting and condemning the Turkish attacks, and that it condemns any encroachment or violation of the sovereignty of any of the Arab countries."[30]
United Nations:United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq condemned the deadly artillery shelling, stating "Under international law, attacks must not be directed at the civilian population. UNAMI therefore calls for a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack, and emphasizes that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Iraq must be respected at all times."[31]
Canada: Canadian Ambassador to Iraq Gregory Galligan said received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "I would like to convey my condolences to all the families and friends of the dead and wounded in today's bombing in Zakho, Iraq."[21]
Germany: A statement by theGerman Foreign Ministry, received by theIraqi News Agency (INA), stated that "Germany condemns the Turkish bombing of civilian sites in Zakho, northern Iraq, which killed a number of defenseless civilians."[22]
Egypt:The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "the Arab Republic of Egypt extends its sincere condolences to brotherly Iraq for the victims of the brutal attack that targeted a tourist resort in the Dohuk Governorate in Iraqi Kurdistan, which resulted in the death and injury of a number of civilian Iraqis."[23]
Iran: The spokesman for theIranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,Nasser Kanaani, condemned the "bombing of the Iraqi city of Zakho, which resulted in deaths and injuries of citizens."[24]
Saudi Arabia: The Saudi Foreign Ministry expressed "the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's condemnation and denunciation of the attack on brotherly Iraq, which targeted the Dohuk Governorate in northern Iraq.".[25]
Turkey: The spokesperson of the ruling party,Ömer Çelik, said the following about the issue: "The Turkish Armed Forces is the most sensitive army in the world to protect civilians. Even in the most difficult conditions, the Turkish Armed Forces showed this sensitivity. It is clear that it is a typical PKK attack, from the weapon used and the method."[26]
United Kingdom:UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office condemned the bombing, stating "The United Kingdom is deeply concerned about reports of civilian casualties as a result of an attack in Zakho area in Dohuk on July 20," the FCO added "We extend our deepest condolences to those affected and express our support to the Iraqi authorities in their investigation," noting that the United Kingdom "deplores the loss of life and will continue to support the stability of Iraq, including the Kurdistan region of Iraq."[27]
United States:Ned Price,US department of state Spokesperson has condemned the attack, stating "The killing of civilians is unacceptable, and all states must respect their obligations under international law, including the protection of civilians."[28][29]
Arab League: The spokesman for theArab League pointed out that "the Arab League supports Iraq in rejecting and condemning the Turkish attacks, and that it condemns any encroachment or violation of the sovereignty of any of the Arab countries."[30]
United Nations:United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq condemned the deadly artillery shelling, stating "Under international law, attacks must not be directed at the civilian population. UNAMI therefore calls for a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack, and emphasizes that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Iraq must be respected at all times."[31]
