Explosive-laden drone downed near Sherawa in fourth Erbil-area interception this week

ERBIL — A large, explosive-laden drone was shot down near the village of Sherawa in Erbil governorate on Wednesday evening, marking the fourth drone interception near the city in recent days as regional tensions continue to spill into Iraqi airspace.

The Kurdistan Region’s Directorate General of Counter Terrorism said the drone crashed at approximately 6:43 p.m. in an agricultural area. It was described as grey in color. “Fortunately, no material or human damage occurred,” the directorate said, adding that the drone’s origin remains unknown.

The incident follows a series of similar interceptions as the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran fuels missile and drone activity across Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.

On Monday, a suspected drone was brought down near the new U.S. consulate in Erbil, landing on an unfinished construction site. That incident also caused no injuries but raised concerns among residents.

Two more drones were intercepted Tuesday in the Shamamak subdistrict, with one exploding on impact, according to local sources and security officials.