Reports of attack on Erbil airbase ‘untrue’: Kurdistan counterterrorism

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Erbil-based Kurdistan counterterrorism forces on Saturday evening denied earlier reports of a drone attack on Harir airbase, which houses United States-led coalition troops.

“The reports are baseless and untrue, and there have been no attacks on the aforementioned site,” read a statement from the Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD), also known as Kurdistan CT.

A security source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told Rudaw earlier in the day that suicide drones had targeted the airbase and caused damage but no casualties. Witnesses also reported hearing loud bangs. Reuters reported the attack damaged airbase infrastructure, citing two unnamed security sources.

“Not every bang has to be an attack and bombardment, it could be practice and training or special procedures,” the Erbil-based CT advised news outlets.

Two suicide drones hit the base’s oil storage facility on Thursday, sparking a fire.

The Islamic Resistance of Iraq, a pro-Iran militia group, has claimed responsibility for dozens of drone and rocket attacks against US troops in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and Syria since last month, including the Thursday one on Harir. The groups says the attacks are in response to Washington’s support for Israel in its war against Palestinian Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Since October 17, there have been a total of 46 attacks on US troops, 24 in Iraq and 22 in Syria, deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh told journalists on Thursday.

Last week US State Secretary Antony Blinken told reporters that during his meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani in Baghdad he emphasized that these attacks were “unacceptable,” and that Washington will do whatever is necessary to protect American interests and personnel.

Blinken also urged Sudani to pursue the attackers.

On October 23, Sudani condemned the repeated strikes on bases hosting US troops, noting that the Americans are in the country on an official invitation to support and train Iraqi security forces.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Tuesday said these attacks are “extremely dangerous” for Iraq and the Region. 

“Kurdistan Regional Government calls on Iraq’s prime minister, as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, to prevent outlaw forces from creating issues for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. We have this expectation from Iraq’s prime minister,” he said.

He warned that Iraq should not get involved in regional tensions.

CORRECTION:  This corrects a previous piece titled "Erbil airbase again targeted with suicide drones" after Kurdistan CT denied the reports.

UPDATED at 10:45PM with the correction