An Israeli political delegation arrived in the Iraqi city of Sulaymaniyah to participate in a ceremony to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the Halabja massacre, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported citing Kurdish political and local sources.
In 1988, Saddam Hussein dropped chemical weapons on Halabja killing thousands of Kurdish civilians.
According to the sources, the seven member Israeli delegation was received yesterday morning by Kurdish officials at the city’s airport.
The sources said the visit, which came following an invitation from the American University in Sulaymaniyah, took place without the Baghdad government’s knowledge. Baghdad had previously requested that any foreign delegation obtain approval and entry visas to enter any part of Iraq.
Many fear the visit coincides with the announcement that Syrian Kurds have set up a federal territory. Israel has previously backed Kurdish independence.
Kurdish officials refused to comment on the reports.