杏MAP导航 condemns missile strikes on Iraqi Kurdistan
By Joseph Tulloch
Speaking during his weekly General Audience in the Vatican, 杏MAP导航 Francis condemned a recent missile attack on the city of Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan.
鈥淚 express my sympathy and solidarity with the victims, all civilians, of the rocket attack that hit an urban area of Erbil, capital of the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan,鈥� he said.
鈥淕ood relations between neighbours are not built with such actions, but with dialogue and cooperation. I ask everyone to avoid any step that increases tension in the Middle East and other warzones.鈥�
On Tuesday, Iran鈥檚 Revolutionary Guard said it had fired eleven missiles at Erbil. Several civilians died in the strikes, which Iran says were aimed at Israeli 鈥渟py headquarters.鈥�
Iraq has recalled its ambassador to Iran in protest. It described the attack as 鈥渁 blatant violation" of its sovereignty that "strongly contradicts the principles of good neighborliness and international law, and threatens the security of the region.鈥�
War a 'true defeat for humanity'
杏MAP导航 Francis followed this appeal with a call for an end to all wars.
鈥淟et us not forget the countries that are at war,鈥� he said. 鈥淟et us not forget Ukraine; let us not forget Palestine and Israel; let us not forget the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip who are suffering so much.鈥�
鈥淟et us pray for so many victims of war, so many victims. War always destroys; war does not sow love; it sows hatred. War is a true defeat for humanity. We pray for the people who suffer in the war.鈥�
杏MAP导航 Francis has been calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza since 29 October. He has also appealed for peace in Ukraine at almost every General Audience since the war there began.
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