Rocket attacks on Khabat District in Erbil from Bartella on eve of Eid al-Fitr

ERBIL, Iraq — On the eve of Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic holiday marking the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan, the Khabat District in Erbil Governorate of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) was targeted with six rockets from the borders of Bartella. The rockets fell between the Great Zab River and Khabat District and did not result in any casualties or material losses.

The Peshmerga’s Media and Awareness Cell announced that the security services had launched an investigation into the attack.

A few hours later, several rockets landed in Khabat District. The Iraqi government’s Security Media Cell announced that the perpetrators had targeted the Kar oil refinery in the Kur Kosk area of Khabat District.

في الوقت الذي ينعم به العراقيين بالأمن والأمان، ويستعدون للاحتفال بعيد الفطر المبارك،تحاول عصابات الارهاب والجريمة تعكير صفو الحياة وترهيب المجتمع وتهديد المنشأت النفطية في البلاد.
حيث أقدمت هذه العصابات الاجراميةةمساء اليوم …

— خلية الإعلام الأمني🇮🇶 (@SecMedCell) May 1, 2022

The Security Media Cell stated that the rocket attack had hit the refinery’s main storage tanks which caused a fire. The fire has since been brought under control.

During search operations, an improvised platform with four rockets near the Al-Fadhiliah area in Bashiqa, Nineveh Plains. The unfired rockets were disarmed.

The KRI security forces accused the militias of Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq and the Shabak militia of bombing the refinery. Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi pledged to pursue the perpetrators.

Very worrying and disturbing images from Bartella, predominantly #Syriac Orthodox town with 30K population before 2014 Isis occupation. Following Isis defeat with demographic change led by PMF now become part of conflict and endangering Christian presence and future. https://t.co/C96UymbZWf

— DAVID ܕܘܝܕ (@dvdvrgl) May 1, 2022