US-led coalition neutralises two drones over Iraqi Kurdistan

Global Coalition forces intercepted two unidentified drones over Iraqi Kurdistan on Saturday amid rising security concerns in Iraq and the broader region, according to Shafaq News.

Coalition air defences destroyed one drone that was heading toward Erbil International Airport before it could reach the facility and shot down a second drone over Al-Sulaymaniyah.

No casualties were reported in either incident, although debris from the drones caused minor damage to nearby structures. Authorities are still investigating the origin of the drones and who was behind the attempted strikes.

Since the outbreak of the US–Israeli conflict with Iran on February 28, cities across the Kurdistan region have experienced a series of rocket and drone attacks. Targets have included the Harir military base, Erbil International Airport, and the headquarters of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq. 

The US-based monitoring group Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) has documented more than 190 missile and drone attacks in the region during this period.

By Jeyhun Aghazada