2 Killed In Protest At Turkish Base Over Civilian Deaths

At least two civilians have been killed and 15 injured after protesters stormed a Turkish military base in Iraqi Kurdistan, reports Rudaw (Iraqi Kurdistan). 

On Saturday, demonstrators gathered outside the facility near Sirye in Duhok province before setting fire to guard towers along the perimeter fence. 

Kurdish security forces were deployed to the scene and forcibly dispersed the protests. 

The protests followed Turkish airstrikes last week that killed six people in the semi-autonomous enclave. 

Prior to the incident, demonstrators read statements condemning the airstrikes and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). 

Ankara enjoys close relations with the government in Erbil and frequently carries out airstrikes on alleged PKK targets in the area. The Kurdish group is currently headquartered in Iraqi Kurdistan's Qandil mountains. 

On Sunday, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar announced that military operations against the PKK would continue. 

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry condemned the killing of civilians and emphasized that the Iraqi government was responsible for ensuring the security of its citizens. The statement also slammed any group using Iraqi territory to attack neighboring countries. 

The Kurdistan Regional government blamed the PKK for the incident.