Drones crash in Sulaymaniyah as wave of aerial attacks continues across Iraq

SULAYMANIYAH — Two drones crashed overnight in the Tasluja area of Sulaymaniyah governorate, igniting fires but causing no injuries, according to security officials and 964media reporters at the scene.

One drone reportedly fell near Zalle Primary School in the Sarqala neighborhood, while the other crashed close to the base of the Unit 70 of the Peshmerga forces, a military unit affiliated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. A 964media correspondent who visited the crash site confirmed that only debris had burned and no civilians were harmed.

“Two drones crashed, one in Tasluja and the other near the 70th Forces,” said Ahmad Latif, spokesperson for the 70th Forces. “There were no casualties from the drones.”

Kurdistan Region security forces also confirmed the incidents. “Security investigation teams have reached the crash sites and are conducting inquiries. No casualties were reported,” said Salam Abdulkhaliq, the security forces’ spokesperson.

The PUK’s parliamentary bloc condemned the attacks in a statement, saying the drone incidents were part of a pattern that threatens Iraqi and Kurdish sovereignty. “Yesterday Kirkuk governorate was targeted, and today Sulaymaniyah. While we condemn these acts, we call on the Iraqi Prime Minister to urgently form a fact-finding committee to uncover the truth and identify the source of these drone and missile launches,” the statement said.

No group has claimed responsibility, and Iraqi federal authorities have yet to issue any public comments. The origin and intent behind the drone launches remain unclear as investigations continue.

The crashes in Sulaymaniyah are the latest in a string of aerial incidents in northern Iraq. On Monday night, three missiles struck Kirkuk International Airport and another hit a house in the city’s Arouba neighborhood. Although fires broke out, no injuries were reported and airport operations continued without disruption.

At around 12:20 a.m. Tuesday, a drone carrying explosives struck a school at the Bersiv camp for internally displaced people in Zakho’s Darkar subdistrict, sparking a fire that was later extinguished by civil defense crews. Again, no casualties were reported.

In Salah Al-Din governorate, more than 10 unidentified drones flew over the Baiji refinery early Tuesday morning. District Commissioner Adil Ahmed said security and military units responded with anti-aircraft fire, forcing the drones to withdraw before causing damage. The purpose of the flight remains under investigation.