ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Unidentified assailants fired gunshots at the Iraqi consulate building in Turkey’s Istanbul on Friday evening, without resulting in any casualties or material damage.

The gunmen on motorcycles fired at least eight bullets at the building using Kalashnikov rifles at around 9:00PM before fleeing the scene, according to a statement from the Iraqi foreign ministry.

Turkish security authorities “immediately” closed off the street surrounding the consulate and began investigations into the incident, the ministry added.

The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs “commends the swift response of the Turkish authorities and the security measures they have taken, stressing the importance of strengthening the necessary measures to protect diplomatic missions in accordance with international agreements.”

Oncu Keceli, spokesperson for the Turkish foreign ministry, confirmed that the attack did not result in any casualties or material damage, adding that they have launched a probe into the incident and that the perpetrators will face legal repercussions, while stressing that Ankara has taken necessary measures to protect Iraq’s diplomatic missions in Ankara, Istanbul, and Gaziantep.

“We extend our best wishes to our Iraqi brothers,” he added.

Iraq and Turkey have maintained strong security coordination since Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Iraq in April, signing dozens of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) across multiple sectors.