Turkish diplomat killed in Iraqi Kurdistan

Istanbul: A Turkish diplomat was shot dead in the Iraqi Kurdish capital of Erbil on Wednesday, authorities confirmed.

In a statement, Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "This afternoon (17 July 2019), an official of our Consulate General in Erbil has been martyred as a result of a heinous attack, while he was outside of our Consulate compound."

"We wish Allah’s mercy upon our martyr, extend our condolences to his family and the Turkish Nation."

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the attack in a statement on Twitter.

"I condemn the abusive attack on our consular employees in Erbil. I wish God's mercy to our employee who was martyred in the attack," he wrote.

"We are continuing our efforts with the Iraqi authorities and local authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of the attack are found quickly."

Kurdistan's security agency Asayish stated that the official was killed in a shooting at a restaurant. One other person died in the attack.
"We condemn in the strongest terms the shooting in a restaurant in Erbil today, which led to the deaths of a Turkish diplomat and a civilian, and injured one other," they said in a statement.

They added that a full investigation had been launched.

"We assure our citizens and foreign diplomats in particular that all necessary precautions will be taken to ensure the safety and security of the Kurdistan Region and its peoples," their statement concluded.