Two killed as drones and missiles strike Erbil, Sulaymaniyah in overnight attacks

ERBIL / SULAYMANIYAH — Drone and missile attacks struck multiple sites across the Kurdistan Region overnight, killing two people and hitting targets including Peshmerga bases, Erbil International Airport, a UN facility and the Turkish Consulate in Sulaymaniyah, security authorities said.

A security employee at Erbil International Airport was killed and three others wounded in one of the strikes. In the Sulaymaniyah border area, three missiles struck Iranian Kurdish opposition Komala bases in the village of Zargwezala, killing one fighter with the Iranian Kurdish opposition group and wounding two others.

Several drones were launched toward Erbil throughout Saturday, with most intercepted by air defense systems. In Sulaymaniyah, two drones targeting the Peshmerga Forces’ second regional command were intercepted before reaching their target. Two additional drones fell near a former UN facility and the Turkish Consulate in the city center.

The Kurdistan Region Security Council confirmed four drones targeted Peshmerga Unit 70 positions in two consecutive attacks. “Investigation teams from the Kurdistan Region Security Agency reached the sites of the two incidents immediately and investigations began,” it said.

Saraya Awliya al-Dam, operating under the Islamic Resistance in Iraq banner, has claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on Erbil in recent days. Iran’s IRGC has separately conducted direct strikes targeting Iranian Kurdish opposition group bases across the Kurdistan Region, including PDKI positions in Koya and Erbil and Komala positions in Sulaymaniyah.

In the first three days of the conflict alone, Erbil was targeted by more than 70 missiles and drones. The Kurdistan Region has since endured more than 110 attacks in total, striking military and civilian infrastructure including Erbil International Airport, the U.S. consulate complex, hotels, energy facilities, telecommunications infrastructure and Iranian Kurdish opposition group headquarters across Erbil and Sulaymaniyah.

Schools and universities across the region have been closed since March 1 and the suspension extended until March 23.

This article has been updated with latest casualty figures and statements from security forces

This article has been amended to clarify that the UN office in Sulaymaniyah is no longer in use