ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — An explosives-laden drone hit Erbil International Airport late on Tuesday, the Kurdistan Region's Counterterrorism Directorate has said.
The airport, where US-led coalition troops are stationed, was attacked by a drone at 10:30pm, with a fire breaking out at the site, according to a statement from the directorate.
The coalition also confirmed the attack took place, with both US and Kurdish authorities saying no casualties or physical damage have been reported.
Initial report: At approx. 11:15 PM local time, one UAS impacted in vicinity of Erbil Air Base, Iraq. At this time initial reports indicate no injuries, casualties or damage. We will update when we have further information.
— OIR Spokesman Col. Wayne Marotto (@OIRSpox) July 6, 2021
Telegram channels affiliated with Iran-backed elements of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi) claim that 20 rockets and three drones were used in the attack.
It comes less than 24 hours after an "airborne threat" was shot down over the US embassy in Baghdad.Three rockets also hit Ain al-Asad airbase in Anbar on Monday afternoon.
Erbil has been targeted in several rocket and drone attacks in recent months. Multiple drones hit an area northeast of Erbil late last month, close to the site of the new US consulate.
The airport was hit by an explosives-laden drone in mid April.
Two people died and 13 others injured after multiple rockets hit the city in mid-February.
