US Consulate in Erbil condemns murders of women on Friday and is attacked on Saturday -- a detail the western press misses

The wing of the war industry known as ''the press'' is actually focused on Iraq for a moment or two.  THE GUARDIAN tells you, "As many as 12 ballistic missiles have struck Iraq’s northern Kurdish regional capital Erbil, with some reports suggesting several landed near the US consulate building."  QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA Associated Press all it took for them to off and rubbing -- stroke their cocks, stroke their clits, they all plan to get there and get off on the events that horrifiy normal people.  Qassim Abdul-Zahra (AP) notes, "No injuries were reported. Officials in Iraq and the U.S. gave different accounts of the strike and the damage it caused. A second U.S. official said there was no damage at any U.S. government facility and that there was no indication the target was the consulate building, which is new and currently unoccupied."  MIDDLE EAST EYE adds, "Erbil is the site of bases that host US forces."  DW notes that the US State Dept has termed the attak "outrageous."  Dilan Sirwan (RUDAW) provides this context, "This is the first attack on US missions in the Kurdistan Region this year. Previous attacks were blamed on Iranian-backed Iraqi militias who have demanded that United States forces withdraw from Iraq."

Jennifer Hauser, Simone McCarthy, Jomana Karadsheh and Muwafaq Mohammed (CNN) report:

The missiles were launched from the "east outside Iraq's borders" towards a new United States consulate building and residential areas, according to a statement from the Kurdistan Regional Government. The attack damaged buildings and homes and one person was "lightly wounded," the statement said.

Iran borders Iraq to its east, though the statement did not name the country. There was no immediate information on claims of responsibility for the attack.

Initial reports shared on social media had claimed the missiles may have struck the US consulate building, but Lawk Ghafuri, press spokesperson for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), said Sunday that only areas around the compound were hit. 

UPI appears to be one of the few outlets that feels reporters exist otuside of western borders.  They are the only ones noting, "The station of local news channel Kurdistan 24 was also damaged in the attack. A photo posted to Twitter by Barzan Sadiq, one of the station's reporters, depicted fallen debris on the studio floor."  Patrick Reilly (NEW YORK POST) also notes kURDISTAN 24, "Satellite television station Kurdistan24, which is located near the US consulate, went live from the studio shortly after the attack, showing shattered glass and debris strewn across the studio floor."

Wladimir van Wilgenburg (KURDISTAN 24) reports:       

The management of Kurdistan 24 said in a public statement that the attack caused the channel to stop its broadcasts for a few minutes. “We will assure the audience and viewers that we will continue to work and continue our national message.”

“We will continue broadcasting and spreading the truth despite substantial damage to our equipment.”

“From here, we thank all the parties and parties that have asked for the safety of the Kurdistan Staff 24, whether by sending the message or visiting us.”

Kurdistan Region Health Minister Saman Barzinji visited the Kurdistan 24 channel in a solidarity visit after the attack.

Nawzad Hadi, adviser to the president of Kurdistan Region, visited Kurdistan 24 and condemned the attack.

"There are a multitude of potential reasons (for the Erbil attack), but the most likely is that the Iranians see Erbil as a hub for its opponents in the region to plan and conduct attacks against Iran and its interests," Nicholas Heras, deputy director of the Human Security Unit at the Newlines Institute for Strategy and Policy, told Kurdistan 24.

The attacks come as the political stalemate in Iraq continues five months after the elections took place.  The country still does not have a new president or prime minister despite elections having taken place October 10th.  REUTERS notes, "Domestic politics has also fueled violence. Iraqi political parties, most of which have armed wings, are currently in tense talks over forming a government after an election in October. Shi’ite militia groups close to Iran warn in private that they will resort to violence if they are left out of any ruling coalition."

The attack also comes after the consulate issued a statement -- a detail that no news report has noted in their coverage of the missile attacks.  RUDAW explains:

The US Consulate General in Erbil expressed its concern regarding the recent surge of domestic violence and femicide in the Kurdistan Region on Friday, stressing that culprits must be brought to justice.

Eman Sami Maghdid, 20, was shot dead on Erbil’s 100 metes road late Sunday. Her death followed a number of similar cases in the Kurdistan Region. Kirkuk police arrested the suspected murderer of the Kurdish woman on Wednesday. 

“So-called “#honor_killings” like the recent murders of Eman “Maria” Sami Maghdeed, Maryam Yacoob, and Aydi Muhammed must be investigated and followed by a legal response, with the perpetrators held responsible,” said the US Consulate in a statement. 

The Consulate in their statement urged the Kurdistan Regional Government to continue taking meaningful action towards ending all violation of the rights of women and other marginalized communities, while also stating: “we stand ready to assist.”

Go through all the reports -- and there are more: BLOOMBERG, CNBC, etc -- and find one that notes that on Friday the Cosnulate issued a statement.  Is it related?  I have no idea.  Forced to guess, I'd say no, it doesn't.  But it does tell you what sort of work the Consulate does, it does provide context.  For all anyone knows at this point, it may be a motive in the attack.  But it's missing.

Because the western press doesn't give a damn about the women in Iraq and it never has.