Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday that they launched missile and drone strikes against US bases in Erbil, in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region.
Iranian state media reported that the attacks targeted US military facilities in and around the city. The strikes come amid rising tensions between Iran and US forces across the Middle East.
The Revolutionary Guards said the operation destroyed a maintenance centre and several warehouses. They also claimed that the strikes damaged the guidance system of a US surveillance aerostat.
Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency carried the statement.
Explosions reported near Erbil airport
The US-led coalition has troops stationed in Iraq’s Kurdistan region as part of its efforts against jihadist groups.
Since the start of the latest Middle East conflict, Erbil has faced repeated attacks blamed on Iran or armed groups aligned with Tehran.
Kurdish counterterrorism forces said they intercepted 10 explosive-laden drones over Erbil province early Wednesday.
According to the Kurdish forces, the drones were brought down between 1:13 a.m. and 3:31 a.m. local time. They said the attacks caused no casualties.
An AFP journalist in Erbil reported hearing explosions near the city’s airport. The airport area hosts coalition troops and has previously come under attack.
Erbil remains a target
Erbil has faced several drone attacks in recent years. The city is also home to a major US diplomatic complex.
The Kurdistan region has become strategically important because of the presence of US-led coalition forces and its location near Iran. The area also borders territory where Iranian Kurdish opposition groups have operated.
Iran has previously accused these groups of threatening its security. Tehran has also carried out missile and drone strikes against their positions in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.
The latest incident adds another layer to the growing confrontation between Iran and US forces. Repeated attacks have raised concerns about the safety of coalition personnel and civilians living near military facilities.
Rising regional tensions
The reported strikes come as tensions continue to spread across the Middle East. US facilities in Iraq and neighboring countries have faced threats and attacks during periods of heightened conflict with Iran.
Iraqi and Kurdish authorities are now monitoring the situation around Erbil. Further details about the damage and the targets were not immediately available.
The Iranian statement and Kurdish reports also differ in their descriptions of the attack. While Tehran claimed that its forces hit US facilities, Kurdish authorities said their forces intercepted the drones before they could cause casualties.
The incident highlights the continuing security risks faced by US-led coalition forces in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.
