Erbil under the crossfire of the US-Israel war on Iran

On Sunday, coalition air defence systems intercepted Iranian missiles and drones over Erbil, preventing damage to the United States Consulate General in the Iraqi Kurdistan region and Erbil International Airport, both of which host US-led coalition forces. These events coincided with US-Israeli attacks on Tehran, that set off a regional conflict. 

 The New Arab attempted to contact Ahmed Wshyar, head of Erbil International Airport, and Omed Khoshnaw, governor of Erbil, but both were unavailable for comment. Authorities in Erbil have restricted media coverage and implemented security measures against civilians attempting to record events following the attacks. 

The Kurdistan Region's Counter-Terrorism Directorate (CTD) reported that the incident occurred at 1:25 p.m. Coalition air defence systems intercepted multiple missiles and explosive-laden drones in Erbil province.

No casualties or damage were reported. 

 The CTD further stated that Iran launched drones targeting United States military sites, including the US Consulate and Erbil International Airport. 

On Sunday, an air base housing US forces in Harir, northeast of Erbil, was attacked twice, according to a Kurdish official speaking to local media. The official reported, "The first attack was at 4:43 a.m. and the second at 8:15 a.m. The attacks were stronger than previous incidents. There is a strong suspicion they were drones."

Smoke was observed over the district; both attacks targeted Harir airport, and no casualties were reported. 

Since Saturday, Erbil International Airport has been targeted by more than ten missile and drone attacks. 

Several Iraqi armed groups have publicly declared their support for Iran.  

Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for 16 drone attacks against "enemy bases in Iraq and the region" without providing further details. The pro-Iranian group Saraya Awliya al-Dam, also known as Guardians of Blood Brigades, reported that its fighters used multiple drones to attack "American bases in Erbil." Late on Sunday night, the group announced launching a missile attack on an American target in Erbil in retaliation for the killing of Ali Khamenei.

According to Iran's Tasnim News Agency, the Iranian army announced in its fourth statement on Sunday that its warplanes had conducted airstrikes against American bases in the Persian Gulf and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in several stages. The statement further asserted that all enemy military sites in the region are within reach of Iranian fighter jets. 

Baghdad, a key ally of Iran, announced a three-day mourning period for Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a strike on Tehran on Saturday. 

Iraq, which has recently regained a measure of stability but has historically served as a proxy battleground between the United States and Iran, warned that it does not wish to be drawn into the conflict.