UNAMI chief describes Erbil attack as an 'affront to rule of law'

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, head of the United Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI), said Wednesday that the drone attack on Erbil International Airport late Tuesday and other similar attacks in Iraq are “an affront to the rule of law.” 

“These constant attacks, last night again in Erbil, are an affront to the rule of law. Such acts are pushing the country towards the unknown, with the Iraqi people potentially paying a high price. The legitimacy of the State must not be threatened by callous armed actors,” tweeted UNAMI chief. 
  
An explosives-laden drone hit Erbil International Airport late Tuesday, causing a fire at the site. However, coalition and Kurdish officials said the attack did not cause any casualties or physical damage.

A similar attack took place at the airport in April. Two people were killed and 13 others were injured when multiple rockets hit Erbil in February, including areas near the airport. 

Attacks on Iraqi bases, especially those hosting US troops, have increased since the US assassinated top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi) deputy commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in Baghdad in January 2020. 
Three rockets hit Ain al-Asad airbase in Anbar province on Monday, but did not cause any casualties.