Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian businessman Karam Mikhail killed in Iranian missile attack on Erbil

The aftermath of the strikes that killed Karam Mikhail and Peshraw Dizayee.

Photo by Syriac Press

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East suffered an escalation recently as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles targeting a residential area of Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). The regional security council reports that at least four perished and six were injured in the eight blasts that rocked the area.

One of those killed was Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian businessman Karam Mikhail, who was visiting the home of Kurdish multimillionaire Peshraw Dizayee, also killed in the attack.

In the aftermath of the attacks, Iraq recalled its ambassador from Tehran for consultations and summoned Iran’s charge d’affaires in Baghdad. The United States, condemning the strikes, added its voice to the growing international chorus expressing concern over the escalating situation.

The Iraqi government condemned what they call Iranian “aggression” in Erbil and is considering filing a complaint with the United Nations Security Council. Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, defended the missile strikes, stating that Tehran respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries but was exercising its “legitimate and legal right to deter national security threats.”

The world is watching to see what happens next.

– Syriac Press