ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Residents of a village in Erbil province are living in fear of further drone attacks after a base belonging to an Iranian Kurdish opposition group was targeted late Thursday, prompting some families to flee their homes while others struggle to find safer places to live.
At least two explosive-laden drones targeted a base belonging to the Khabat Organization of Iranian Kurdistan in Rizgari (Topzawa), in Erbil province's Khabat district, causing material damage but no casualties, according to a party official.
Although the attack targeted the opposition group's base, residents of nearby neighborhoods say they have been severely affected by the repeated strikes and the constant fear of further attacks.
"This is our situation, living in fear day and night. We have no life. It has been a month that I have been looking for a house to rent. There are around 20 families living in rental houses. We can not even find a house for rent," Nazmi Saadi, a school principal, told Rudaw’s Vazheen Murad.
Some families have already evacuated their homes, fearing further attacks, while others say they have little choice but to remain despite the risks.
Farida Mohammed, a resident of Topzawa, said she had been advised by family members to leave her home but was struggling to find somewhere suitable to stay.
"I was told to leave the house tonight and go somewhere. It is not for a night or two. It is not pleasant to go live in the house of a relative. I have this device and people will not tolerate it as it consumes too much power. I do not know [what to do]. Sometimes I tell them [family members] to leave the house and leave me alone but they do not accept it," she told Rudaw.
The Kurdistan Region has faced more than 1,000 drone and missile attacks by Tehran and Iran-aligned Iraqi armed groups since late February, raising security concerns among residents, particularly those living near bases housing Iranian Kurdish opposition groups.
