At a Glance

• An Iraqi CTS delegaion and Kurdish lawmakers visited the martyred teenagers' families in Pirde.
• Deputy Head Yusuf Hashim stated the civilian deaths were “unintentional” crossfire during a suicide bomber interception.
• Lawmaker Mazen Ghareeb confirmed the investigative committee has concluded its work, with results due this Sunday.
• Families demanded full accountability for negligence and compensation for their losses 

An Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) delegation, accompanied by lawmakers Mazen Ghareeb and Halo Jabari, visited the families of the two Kurdish teenagers martyred during the September 27 incident in the Pirde (Altun Kupri) sub-district. 

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• CTS official Yusuf Hashim stated that what occurred in the Pirde operation was “unintentional,” adding that an individual was attempting to detonate themselves in the area, and their forces prevented a major catastrophic event.
• Lawmaker Mazen Ghareeb affirmed that by Sunday, the findings of the committee regarding the incident will be revealed. 
• The victims' families demanded accountability for those found guilty of negligence, alongside full compensation for their losses. 

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The senior delegation, led by Lieutenant General Yusuf Hashim, Technical and Administrative Deputy to the Head of the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS), initially arrived in the Pirde sub-district and visited the home of the martyr Murad Zana on Friday. 

They subsequently visited the home of the martyr Mohammed Hemin to extend their condolences and solidarity to the families of the victims. 

Following the meeting, the CTS said in a statement that the meeting was “a national stance” that embodied “the highest meanings of loyalty and solidarity with the families of the martyrs.”

The delegation conveyed the condolences of the Head of the Counter-Terrorism Service and its personnel to the families of the two martyrs, expressing sorrow and sympathy, and reaffirming the Service's commitment to standing by them and sharing in this painful loss. 

The statement noted that the delegation conveyed condolences from the ICTS leadership and personnel to the victims' families, expressing profound sorrow and reaffirming the agency's commitment to supporting them through this painful loss.

The victims' families said they have filed formal lawsuits, demanding an official apology from those responsible for the error.

Meanwhile, Iraqi Kurdish lawmaker Mazin Ghareeb stated that the delegation extended their condolences as part of an official duty, adding that an additional committee is scheduled to arrive this coming week.

 “The work of the investigative committee that was established has been concluded, and they have submitted their report,” he confirmed. 

Gharib stressed that as members of the Iraqi Parliament they are actively following up on this, noting that the Kurdish representatives in Baghdad are also engaged and their efforts are highly commended.

“Rest assured, we will not allow this case to be derailed from its proper legal course,” he emphasized. 

He further affirmed that those who are accused must be held accountable, and the families of the victims must be granted full martyr rights and benefits.

FYI

The Pirde incident occurred when an Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) operation against an ISIS sleeper cell resulted in the tragic deaths of two local Kurdish teenagers, Murad Zana and Mohammed Hemin. 

The tragedy sparked widespread outrage when the agency initially misidentified the minors as slain terrorists and published photos of the scene. 

Critics and relatives condemned the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) for deploying heavy battlefield weapons in a crowded residential market area, calling the action a reckless disregard for civilian safety. 

Parliamentarians, led by Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) blocs, demanded a transparent probe into reckless firing and the severe manipulation of the scene.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi ordered a high-level investigation with a strict 72-hour deadline. 

In the meantime, CTS stated yesterday that it remains fully committed to applicable laws, professional responsibilities, transparency, and taking necessary measures based on investigation findings. 

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