“The resurgence and escalation of terrorist attacks in Iraq, particularly in the disputed territories, are an extremely alarming development. The rising number of recent terror attacks have destabilized these areas and undermined peace for all of the religious and ethnic communities there,” Barzani said in a statement.

The statement further added that the “communities have continuously faced the threats of death, abductions and evictions from their own homes. Recently their farms and crops have repeatedly been set on fire while vicious and deadly terror attacks have continued to target them.”

The president of the Kurdish region also said: “We have frequently warned the seriousness of the situation in these areas, we reiterate that the continuation of current circumstances will threaten stability and peaceful coexistence in these areas. More effective ways of coordination and cooperation are needed between the federal government and the Kurdistan Region to face the current dangers and to protect the communities in these areas.”

Barzani also said in the statement that cooperation between the Peshmerga and Iraqi forces and the continued support of the international coalition against IS are necessary, “since the terror groups have taken advantage of the security vacuum in these areas to launch more attacks,” stressing that the Kurdistan Region Presidency will continue to make serious efforts in this regard.

“The latest terror attacks on two Kakayi villages near Khanaqin city, in which a number of people lost their lives and several others were wounded, shows the extent of escalation of terror activities and violence in these areas and the necessity of taking quick steps to prevent their repetition,” the statement also said.

Barzani strongly condemned these terror attacks and extended his condolences to the families of the victims and share their grief and voiced his wish that the wounded will recover fast.

Reporter’s code: 50101