At least 70 people were killed and more than 200 injured yesterday, as twin suicide bomb attacks took place at the PUK and KDP headquarters in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Shortly before 11am, two men slipped past the normally tight security at the party buildings. Hundreds of well-wishers had gathered at the party offices to celebrate the beginning of the four-day Muslim holiday, the Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice.

Following the attacks, leaders of the two primary Kurdish political parties issued statements implying a stronger Kurdish resolve towards gaining self-rule. Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Chair Massoud Barzani and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Jalal Talabani pledged to fight terrorism and work together for a 'democratic, federal Iraq.'

Terrorist attacks have taken place throughout Iraq since the downfall of Saddam Hussein; however the Northern region of Iraqi Kurdistan was known to be the most stable and secure region. The terrorist attacks are aimed at creating instability and provoking ethnic tensions, and are directly related to the construction of a new Iraq.

Kerim Yildiz, Executive Director of KHRP, said, "We have no doubt that these terrorist attacks were state-sponsored. This must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. It is imperative that the Coalition Provisional Authority and the international community begin to give serious consideration to the future of the Iraqi Kurds."

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