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KDP Senior Official: Iranian Missile Attack Is a Message to the US

Khaled Azizi, senior official of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Khaled Azizi, senior official of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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KDP Senior Official: Iranian Missile Attack Is a Message to the US

Khaled Azizi, senior official of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Khaled Azizi, senior official of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) (Asharq Al-Awsat)

A few days after an Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ missile attacks on the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, Khaled Azizi, a senior official of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), said that Tehran fired the rockets “to send a clear message to the United States and the countries of the region.”

Azizi, a former secretary and leader of the KDP, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the regime in Tehran “is currently facing severe political and economic problems and crises at the internal and external levels, and will not emerge from them easily and peacefully.

“By targeting our headquarters, Iran sent an explicit message to specific parties such as America and its allies in the region that Tehran is able to hit all those sides if its interests were put at risk. This means that the Iranian regime has made our area a field for experiments,” Azizi stated.

Iran said on Sunday it had targeted the KDP leadership headquarters and training centers in the district of Koysinjaq (70 km east of Erbil) last Saturday. Azizi was wounded in the attack, along with the party’s current secretary Mustafa Mawloudi.

The senior official said the party lost 13 lives in the attack, while more than 45 people were injured, including fighters, civilians and many women and children.

Asked whether Iran had made warnings ahead of the attack, Azizi said the strike was “unexpected”, pointing out, however, that the party “has a security committee that collects accurate information about the dangers that threaten the party and is in constant contact with the party leadership.”

He added that the committee had repeatedly warned of “the regime’s intention to strike us militarily.”

Commenting on Tehran’s threats that it would repeat its attacks on the Kurdistan region, Azizi said: “The possibility of further Iranian attacks depends on the results of the upcoming US legislative and presidential elections, the course of the negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program and the seriousness of threats exchanged between Iran and the United States.”

“I can say that the repetition of Iranian attacks against us falls entirely within the framework of Tehran’s relations with Baghdad, the repercussions of burning the Iranian consulate in Basra and the orientation of the new Iraqi government.”

The KDP official pointed out that Iranian drones flying over the Iraqi territory was something “ordinary”, noting that the matter “concerns Iraq and its sovereignty, which the Iranian regime has blatantly violated.”

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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.