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Turkish diplomat shot dead in Iraqi Kurdistan | Turkish diplomat shot dead in Iraqi Kurdistan |
(32 minutes later) | |
A Turkish diplomat was among two people killed in an attack in the Iraqi Kurdish city of Irbil. | A Turkish diplomat was among two people killed in an attack in the Iraqi Kurdish city of Irbil. |
The victims are thought to be Turkey's deputy consul general in the city, along with a civilian. Turkey has already vowed to retaliate. | |
The diplomat was among a group of people eating at a restaurant when gunmen opened fire. | |
No-one has so far claimed the attack but Turkish Kurdish militants are based in the region. | No-one has so far claimed the attack but Turkish Kurdish militants are based in the region. |
In a statement on Twitter, Turkish presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin said a "necessary response will be given to those who committed this treacherous attack". | In a statement on Twitter, Turkish presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin said a "necessary response will be given to those who committed this treacherous attack". |
What do we know about the attack? | |
Details are still emerging, but the shooting took place on Wednesday afternoon at HuQQabaz restaurant in Irbil's Empire City neighbourhood. | |
Initial reports said that three diplomats had been killed in the attack. | Initial reports said that three diplomats had been killed in the attack. |
But Kurdish internal security forces, known as the Asayish, later said that two people had been killed, including Turkey's deputy consul general. | |
Asayish did not say if the other two victims were also Turkish consulate staff. | |
What's the background? | |
The shooting comes as Turkey continues its crackdown on Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants in the area. | |
More than 40,000 people have been killed in the PKK's conflict with Turkey over Kurdish autonomy, which began in 1984. | More than 40,000 people have been killed in the PKK's conflict with Turkey over Kurdish autonomy, which began in 1984. |
PKK fighters use mountain remote areas along the border between Turkey and Iraq's Kurdistan Region as sanctuary and to stage attacks on Turkish forces. | PKK fighters use mountain remote areas along the border between Turkey and Iraq's Kurdistan Region as sanctuary and to stage attacks on Turkish forces. |
Turkey has put pressure on Iraq's government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to help it contain the group. | Turkey has put pressure on Iraq's government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to help it contain the group. |