Federal government rejects KRG claim linking PMF factions to Erbil drone attack

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s federal government on Saturday rejected a statement by the Kurdistan Regional Government accusing factions affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces of carrying out drone attacks near Erbil, calling the claim baseless and lacking evidence.

“The statement issued by the Ministry of Interior of the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq, accusing an official Iraqi security institution, is categorically rejected, condemned, and entirely unacceptable under any pretext, particularly as it was made in the absence of evidence,” said Sabah al-Numan, spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. “We call for any such evidence, if it exists, to be submitted to the relevant federal authorities.”

The federal government emphasized its commitment to national unity and security, warning that it “will not hesitate to take strict legal measures against any party attempting to undermine stability or disrupt security anywhere in Iraq.”

Al-Numan also criticized the use of public media to address security issues. “Cooperation and coordination must take place through official channels, rather than through media outlets and public statements,” he said. Public accusations, he added, “only serve to provide an opportunity for those seeking to discredit the Iraqi institutions that defend and protect the nation’s security.”

His comments came in response to a statement issued Friday by the KRG Ministry of Interior, which denied reports that a drone strike near Erbil had targeted an Israeli site, and for the first time directly blamed PMF-linked groups for a string of recent aerial attacks. “These attacks are carried out by groups affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces under the pretext of creating chaos,” the KRG said.

The drone incident occurred late Thursday near Erbil International Airport and caused no casualties or damage. No group has claimed responsibility.