ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Iraqi government announced the arrest of four individuals in connection with an earlier rocket attack targeting a base in Syria’s northeastern Hasaka province that previously hosted US-led coalition forces, according to a government statement.
“Our security forces, supported by intelligence efforts, moved swiftly and succeeded in arresting four of the perpetrators,” a statement from Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani’s office said.
The statement added that the perpetrators had been handed over to the “appropriate authorities” as part of the investigation.
Sabah al-Numan, Sudani’s military spokesperson, said in a separate statement that an “illegal group” fired several missiles into Syrian territory from the border of Rabia district using a Kia vehicle.
These are the first arrests announced in Iraq related to the the regional conflict that broke out on February 28, involving the United States, Israel, and neighboring Iran.
The Kharab al-Jir base, previously used by US forces, is located south of Qamishlo in Hasaka province near the Syrian-Iraqi border. The facility is currently jointly run by Syrian government forces and Kurdish security forces in northeastern Syria.
Damascus condemned the attack on Monday and said it was in contact with the Iraqi government to “locate the perpetrators.”