Al-Sudani condemns UAE consulate attack in call with Mohammed bin Zayed

BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani condemned the drone attack on the UAE Consulate General in Erbil during a phone call Monday with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.

Sudani expressed Iraq’s “rejection and condemnation of the attacks that targeted the consulate of the sisterly United Arab Emirates in the city of Erbil,” the statement said. The two leaders also discussed efforts to intensify diplomatic engagement at the regional and international levels to contain escalation and end the war.

The consulate was struck Saturday in a drone attack that wounded two security guards and damaged the building — the second such strike in a week. The UAE described the attack as a “flagrant violation of all international norms and laws” and called for those responsible to be held accountable. The KRG condemned the strike and called on Baghdad to ensure the protection of diplomatic missions.

The call is the latest in a series of condemnations from Iraqi authorities over attacks on foreign compounds, which have continued despite repeated pledges from the Foreign Ministry, national security adviser and prime minister to pursue those responsible. Diplomatic and military sites across Iraq have faced intensifying strikes since the regional war between the United States, Israel and Iran began Feb. 28.