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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Loud sounds of blasts were heard over Erbil on Friday, relayed Rudaw English's correspondent on the ground, amid reports that a one-way attack drone crashed in the vicinity of Erbil International Airport.
The Airport's CEO affirmed to Rudaw's Karwan Faidhi Dri that the facility "remains open" despite the drone incident, adding that "the attack has not affected flights."
This comes shortly after eyewitnesses shared several videos showing a drone in the skies over Khabat district, located west of the Kurdistan Region's capital, reportedly heading toward Erbil.
Rudaw later obtained footage showing the drone's interception.
Moreover, Rudaw has learned that the US-led Coalition forces' air defense systems intercepted at least three drones over the Kurdish capital on Friday.
Later that day, the Erbil-based Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD), also known as Kurdistan CT, said in a statement on Facebook that "between 9:32 and 9:45 am [local time], Coalition forces intercepted and downed five explosive-laden drones in the skies over Erbil."
"The drones had been launched from the western part of Erbil province, and fortunately, no casualties were reported," the agency added.
Eyewitnesses also reported that they witnessed a drone crash on Friday in an open field in the northwestern outskirts of Erbil.
According to Rudaw's records, the Kurdistan Region has been struck by more than 930 drones and missiles since the start of the Iran war on February 28, killing at least 32 people and wounding nearly 150 others.
Last updated at 1:55 pm.
