Eight missiles were launched this morning against the Turkish military base of Zilkan in Iraqi Kurdistan, of which two hit inside, according to statements by the anti-terrorism department of the Kurdish region of Iraq. The Ahrar al-Iraq Islamic Resistance Brigade, linked to Shiite militias and supported by Iran, claimed responsibility for the attack a few hours later.
Despite the fact that there have been no casualties or injuries, the Turkish defense ministry has assured that it would retaliate. Minister Hulusi Akar has dismissed the incident, assuring that these types of attacks occur "from time to time", and are the ones that trigger Ankara's military response.
However, according to a Reuters agency source, an Iraqi worker would have been injured.
Turkey established the Zilkan base in 2015, during the war against Islamic State to control Mosul, at the time a stronghold of extremists. It is one of the several military bases that Ankara has in the area and which, on occasion, have been the target of air strikes.
The Iraqi government has frequently condemned Turkey's military presence, often describing it as illegal.
Turkey has carried out military operations in northern Iraq for decades to fight the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is considered a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. In this area, Turkish shelters have been frequently attacked by Turkish forces.
