Coordination with Baghdad is essential in the fight against terrorists in Iraq, Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, said, speaking at a meeting of the Security Council of the world organization.
"The security situation in the country remains fragile, including due to the activation of the terrorist underground," he said. - "A sad example is the recent double attack in Baghdad city center, which killed 32 civilians, and yesterday's attack in Erbil. We strongly condemn these terrorist actions".
"At the same time, we proceed from the need for all players involved in the fight against terrorism in Iraq to respect the sovereignty of the Iraqi state and coordinate their actions with Baghdad," the Russian diplomat stressed.
Nebenzya also called on all external players with influence on the situation in Iraq to refrain from steps that could lead to a new rise in tension. He noted the importance of the upcoming early parliamentary elections in the Arab country in October 2021. "We continue to explore possible modalities for involving the UN in the process of organizing and holding elections, and are ready to discuss the issue with other Security Council members," he added.
On Monday evening, the area of Erbil airport, where the US military base is located, was hit by rocket fire. Colonel Wayne Marotto, a representative of the international anti-terrorist coalition, said one civilian was killed in the shelling, and another US serviceman and several US specialists were injured. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said he has already contacted the head of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government, Masrur Barzani, and assured him of Washington's willingness to support efforts to find and bring those responsible to justice. However, the US State Department did not report Blinken's contacts with Baghdad after the attack.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Zuma \ TASS
Based on materials from TASS