Kurdistan Region counterterrorism agency denies drone crash in Erbil

ERBIL — The Kurdistan Region’s Counterterrorism Directorate on Sunday denied reports that a drone had crashed in Erbil governorate, calling the claims false and without basis.

“Some media outlets circulated reports about a drone crash in Baharka district, Erbil governorate. We confirm that this news is untrue, and no type of drone has crashed within the governorate’s borders,” the agency said in a statement.

The directorate urged news organizations to report responsibly. “We call on the media to adhere to journalistic ethics and handle events responsibly, so as not to cause public concern or erode trust in the press,” the statement said.

Drone-related incidents have increased in Iraq amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel. In recent weeks, multiple drones—some suspected to be of Iranian origin—have crashed or been intercepted in areas including Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Nineveh governorates.

On June 21, a suspected Iranian drone exploded on Mount Qarachogh in Makhmur district, while another unidentified object fell near Sheikh Mansour village in Dukan. Authorities are continuing to investigate the origin of the debris.