AiBotErbil, Iraq – A series of powerful explosions rocked the city of Erbil in northern Iraq on Wednesday, leaving multiple casualties and widespread damage in its wake. The blasts, which are believed to have been caused by improvised explosive devices (IEDs), targeted several key locations in the city, causing chaos and panic among the population.
According to eyewitnesses, the first explosion occurred at around 9:00 pm local time, when a powerful IED detonated in the city’s central market area. The blast was followed by a second explosion, which is believed to have been caused by a rocket-propelled grenade, in the nearby Ansar district.
The third and most devastating explosion occurred at around 10:00 pm, when a large cache of explosive material detonated in the city’s Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) compound. The blast, which is believed to have been caused by a combination of IEDs and rocket-propelled grenades, was so powerful that it destroyed several buildings and shattered windows in nearby homes.
“We were sitting in our home when we heard the first explosion,” said Amina Hassan, a resident of Erbil. “We thought it was a car bomb, but then we heard another explosion and another, and we knew it was something bigger. We were very scared.”
Emergency response teams were quickly dispatched to the scene, where they worked to rescue those trapped in the rubble and provide medical assistance to the injured. According to officials, multiple people were killed in the blasts, while over 100 were injured, many of whom are in critical condition.
The KRG has condemned the attacks, calling them “barbaric” and “designed to target innocent civilians.” The Iraqi government has also issued a statement, condemning the attacks and vowing to bring those responsible to justice.
The motive behind the attacks is not yet clear, but officials suspect that they may be linked to the ongoing conflict between the Iraqi government and Kurdish separatist groups. The KRG has maintained its autonomy in recent years, leading to tensions with Baghdad, which has sought to exert greater control over the region.
In response to the attacks, the KRG has declared a high state of alert, with security forces deployed across the city to prevent further attacks. International observers have called for calm and restraint, urging both sides to engage in diplomatic efforts to resolve their differences peacefully.
As the situation in Erbil continues to unfold, the international community stands in solidarity with the people of Iraq, offering support and assistance to those affected by the devastating explosions.