Two explosive-laden drones attacked the private office of Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the residence of a senior security official in Erbil early Monday, in a significant escalation of attacks targeting Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region.
Drones Launched From Iran, KRG Says
The Kurdistan Region’s Counter-Terrorism Directorate said the two Hadid-110 drones were launched from across the Iranian border at around 12:28 a.m. and targeted facilities in the Pirmam area of Erbil province.
The authorities said no casualties were reported, although officials did not immediately provide detailed information about the extent of property damage.
Prime Minister Barzani condemned the attack, describing it as a dangerous escalation and a direct threat to the security and stability of the Kurdistan Region. He said the incident would not prevent his government from continuing its work.
Growing Security Concerns
The attack comes amid a broader increase in drone and missile strikes across the Kurdistan Region in recent weeks. Local authorities have reported repeated attacks on Erbil and other areas, raising concerns about the region’s security and the potential impact on civilian and economic infrastructure.
The targeting of the prime minister’s private office and a senior intelligence official’s residence marks a particularly sensitive development because of the political and security significance of the sites.
Regional Tensions
The reported launch from Iranian territory is likely to increase tensions between the Kurdistan Regional Government and Tehran. The KRG has previously faced attacks linked to wider regional conflicts, while Iran has been involved in military operations and disputes involving Kurdish opposition groups based in northern Iraq.
Kurdish authorities have condemned Monday’s attack as unacceptable and said those responsible would be held accountable. Further details on the damage and any possible response from Baghdad or Tehran were not immediately available.
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