ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi on Thursday condemned the drone attack targeting Erbil the previous night as a “criminal attempt” to undermine stability and ordered joint coordination of Iraqi and Kurdistan Region security forces to prevent similar attacks.
"Based on our constitutional responsibility, we strongly condemn the attack carried out by drones that violated the airspace of the city of Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq," PM Zaidi said in a statement on X early Thursday.
He described the attack as a "criminal attempt" aimed at disrupting Iraq's stability and social peace, stressing that the government "will not tolerate these desperate attempts."
The statement came hours after the Kurdistan Region's Counter-Terrorism Directorate said the US-led coalition intercepted and shot down eight explosive-laden drones over Erbil between 8:53 p.m. and 9:20 p.m. local time on Wednesday. No casualties were reported.
Zaidi said he had instructed the relevant federal security agencies to coordinate with the Kurdistan Region's security forces.
"We directed the competent security agencies and formations to exert every effort, together with the Region's security forces, to take all necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of these attacks and to stop anyone attempting to undermine the security of our Iraqi society," he said.
The attacks briefly raised concerns about air traffic in the Kurdish capital, but Erbil International Airport remained operational.
Ahmed Hoshyar, the airport director, told Rudaw's Tanya Ahmad that all flights continued as scheduled, with Fly Erbil aviation official Muhannad Ahmed Mir also confirming that flight operations were proceeding normally.
The drone attack coincides with Zaidi's official visit to Washington, where he met US President Donald Trump and senior American officials to discuss newfound opportunities to expand ties. On Wednesday, Zaidi also met US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who called on Iraq to assert its sovereignty and disarm Iran-aligned militias responsible for attacks against US personnel.
Wednesday's incident marks the first drone attack on central Erbil since the US-Iran ceasefire was announced in April, following months of relative calm after Iran-aligned armed groups inside Iraq suspended their operations. According to Rudaw’s records, Erbil was the most frequently targeted area during the earlier escalation, recording hundreds of drone and missile attacks.
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