Two injured in knife attack during Akitu celebration in Duhok

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - At least two people were injured during a celebration of the Babylonian-Assyrian New Year, Akitu, in Duhok city on Tuesday, according to a Rudaw reporter. A local health official confirmed that the condition of one of the victims is unstable.

Farman Awla, head of Duhok’s emergency hospital, told Rudaw that a man and a woman, both celebrants of the event, were attacked with a knife, resulting in head injuries.

“The man is in stable condition, but the woman’s condition is critical,” he added. 

Assyrians in Duhok province marked the 6775th Babylonian Assyrian New Year on Tuesday. The Akitu festival marks the rebirth of nature in the spring, securing the life and future of the people for the coming year.

Akitu is one of the oldest recorded religious festivals in the world.

Rudaw has learned that this year, the event was attended by thousands of people from regional and Western countries. 

The motives behind the attack are still unclear, but local security source told Rudaw that the attacker was arrested shortly after the assault.