Missiles strike Kirkuk airport as drone attacks reported in Duhok and Baiji

NEWSROOM — Three missiles struck Kirkuk International Airport on Monday night, and a separate missile hit a home in the city’s Arouba neighborhood, local officials and residents said. No injuries were reported.

The airport administration confirmed the missile impacts but said the facility remains fully operational.

“All sections of the airport, including the civilian flight corridor and all other areas, sustained no damage or technical disruptions, and continue to operate according to the scheduled timetable,” the airport said in a statement.

Fires caused by the missile strikes were contained. One missile hit a two-story residence in Arouba, where 11 family members were inside at the time. The homeowner, Falah Hassan, told 964media, “We were at home when the missile hit and we were all terrified. Thank God none of us were injured.”

Separately, a drone strike targeted a school in the Bersiv camp for internally displaced people in Zakho’s Darkar subdistrict around 12:20 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Kurdistan Region’s counterterrorism forces. The drone, reportedly carrying explosives, caused a fire that was later extinguished by civil defense teams. No casualties were reported, but the strike caused material damage.

Also early Tuesday, more than 10 unidentified drones were spotted flying over the Baiji refinery in Salah Al-Din governorate, according to Baiji District Commissioner Adil Ahmed.

“Around 1 a.m., more than 10 unidentified drones appeared over the Baiji refinery. Security and military forces in the area responded with anti-aircraft weapons and engaged the drones,” Ahmed said.

He added that the response forced the drones to withdraw without causing any damage. The origin of the drones, as well as their intended target, remains unclear.

No group has claimed responsibility for the missile or drone attacks, and Iraqi authorities have not identified the source.