Musa Anwar Rasoul and Muzhda Asaad Hassan, who were killed in a drone strike on their home in Zargazraw village, Darashakran subdistrict in Erbil governorate, early April 7, 2026.
Kurdish leaders condemn drone strike that killed couple in Erbil village
ERBIL — Kurdish leaders condemned a drone strike that hit a civilian home in Erbil governorate early Tuesday, killing a married couple.
The Kurdistan Region’s counterterrorism service said in a statement that “on Tuesday night, April 7, 2026, at 00:15, an explosive drone that had been launched from Iran struck the house of a civilian in Zargazraw village in Darashakran subdistrict within Erbil governorate,” adding that “unfortunately, two spouses, Musa Anwar Rasoul and Muzhda Asaad Hassan, were killed.”
A relative told 964media that the man was a Peshmerga fighter who was off duty and at home at the time of the strike. The couple were buried in Darashakran subdistrict near Erbil.
Zrar Mohammed Tahir, the village mukhtar, said two drones targeted the area. One fell outside the village, while the other struck the victims’ home.
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said, “I am deeply saddened and distressed by the news of a drone attack on the home of a Peshmerga in the Erbil border area, which led to the martyrdom of him and his family.”
He added, “In every way, we condemn this heinous crime and strongly denounce the perpetrators.”
Barzani said, “Targeting civilians and the homes of citizens is a war crime, and we will convey the suffering of the innocent people of Kurdistan to the entire world, so that a limit is set to these violations and attacks on the people of Kurdistan are no longer carried out under unjustified pretexts.”
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also condemned the attack, saying, “We strongly condemn the terrorist attack carried out late last night by a drone on the home of a citizen in Zargazraw village in Erbil governorate, which unfortunately resulted in the martyrdom of two spouses.”
He added, “I extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to the family and relatives of the martyrs, and from the bottom of my heart I share in their grief. I ask Almighty God to grant them mercy and to bestow patience and comfort upon their family and relatives.”
Barzani said, “These attacks are in no way acceptable and are completely rejected. The federal government of Iraq must fulfill its duties and responsibilities to prevent such crimes and terrorist attacks and ensure that these violations against innocent civilians in the Kurdistan Region are not repeated.”
The strike came amid a broader wave of drone attacks targeting Erbil, most of which were intercepted by air defense systems, according to local officials.
In recent weeks, repeated aerial attacks across the Kurdistan Region have targeted military sites. The Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs said, “On the night of April 5, 2026, once again outlaw terrorist groups carried out an attack using four explosive drones on a Peshmerga base in the Kurdistan Region,” adding that “these attacks are being carried out openly and in full view of Iraqi military and security forces.”
The ministry also said, “So far, the federal government, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Joint Operations Command and Iraqi security institutions have taken no serious position to prevent these terrorist and destructive attacks.”
Earlier attacks across Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Soran and Koya targeted sites and camps linked to Iranian Kurdish opposition groups, with most causing material damage only.
According to Community Peacemaker Teams – Iraqi Kurdistan, at least 474 attacks were recorded between Feb. 28 and March 27, resulting in 107 casualties, including 14 killed and 93 injured, along with damage to civilian homes and vehicles.