Kurdistan Region Presidency condemns Akitu attack, vows justice for victims

ERBIL — The Kurdistan Region Presidency on Wednesday condemned the April 1 attack on Akitu festivalgoers in Duhok as a “criminal act” and pledged to bring the perpetrator to justice in coordination with security agencies.

“We firmly condemn this crime and reassure all the people of Kurdistan that the region, as always, remains a homeland of coexistence, peace, and stability for all communities,” the presidency said in a statement. “There will be no tolerance for any attempt to undermine our culture of mutual respect and forgiveness. The perpetrators will face legal consequences.”

The statement said the presidency is closely monitoring the investigation and working with relevant authorities to ensure accountability.

The attack occurred in a crowded market during the Akitu festival — an Assyrian-Babylonian New Year celebration — when a Syrian man affiliated with the Islamic State used a bladed weapon to injure two people. A 65-year-old woman suffered a head wound, and a 25-year-old man sustained minor injuries. Witnesses said the assailant shouted “Islamic State, the Islamic State remains” before being subdued by bystanders and security forces.

The Kurdistan Region’s Security Council confirmed the attacker held extremist beliefs and said he was apprehended shortly after the incident. Duhok Governor Ali Tatar also condemned the attack and said it was intended to disrupt the peaceful gathering.

Akitu, celebrated annually since 1992 in the Kurdistan Region, is marked by 12 days of rituals and festivities and is a symbol of cultural resilience among Iraq’s Assyrian Christian community. Though the Islamic State was territorially defeated in Iraq in 2017, the group remains active in some remote regions. A recent UN report warned that instability in Syria could create conditions for the group’s resurgence.