Three explosive drones shot down over Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan

Three explosive-laden drones were shot down over Erbil in the autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq on Monday, March 9, according to local authorities.

The Counter-Terrorism Service of Iraqi Kurdistan said coalition forces intercepted the drones over the city, CNN reported.

Video footage and eyewitness accounts indicated that two of the drones targeted the consulate of the United Arab Emirates in Erbil, while a third was directed toward Erbil International Airport, which is located near a United States military base.

Debris from one of the drones fell near the UAE consulate, but no injuries were reported, the Kurdish counterterrorism service said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates confirmed that the attack caused “material damage,” but said there were no casualties.

“The United Arab Emirates called on the government of the Republic of Iraq and the government of Iraqi Kurdistan to investigate the circumstances of this attack, identify those responsible, and take all necessary measures to hold them accountable,” the ministry said in a statement.

Pro-Iranian Iraqi militias later claimed responsibility for the attempted attack.

By Tamilla Hasanova