Philippines issues Iraq travel alert after Erbil drone attack

BAGHDAD — The Philippine Embassy in Iraq issued a travel advisory on Wednesday urging Filipino nationals to exercise heightened caution following what it described as recent developments in the region, “especially the drone attack in Erbil, Kurdistan today 21 January 2026.”

In the advisory, the embassy advised Filipinos already in Iraq to “avoid public places, to avoid protests and large gatherings and the area of the demonstrations,” and to “monitor ongoing news, exercise increased caution and remain vigilant for their own safety and security.” It also urged nationals to contact the embassy hotline “(+964 783 700 5457) for emergencies,” noting that Iraq remains at “Alert Level 3 status.”

The warning followed a suspected drone strike earlier Wednesday near the Darashakran subdistrict in Erbil governorate that hit a base belonging to the Kurdistan Freedom Party of Iran, an Iranian Kurdish opposition group based in the Kurdistan Region. Party officials said one fighter was killed and another wounded in the attack, which they said occurred at “5:45 a.m.”

Footage reviewed by 964media showed flames rising from the targeted site, with a voice in the video claiming the strike was carried out by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a claim that has not been independently verified. The Kurdistan Freedom Party of Iran said the base had been relocated after a previous missile strike near the Altun Kupri border area before being targeted again.

Iran has previously conducted multiple drone and missile attacks against Iranian Kurdish opposition groups headquartered in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, repeatedly striking their bases and positions. The attacks have drawn regional attention as tensions linked to protests and security developments inside Iran continue to spill across borders.