By Ayomide Otitoju
Drones and missiles targeted airports and oil facilities in Iraq on Friday, prompting US-led forces to shoot down several over the Kurdish city of Erbil after warnings of potential attacks on hotels frequented by foreigners.
Security officials reported that Baghdad International Airport, which hosts a military base and US diplomatic facilities, came under a series of drone and missile strikes. Earlier, rockets fired from the Abu Ghraib area near Baghdad were intercepted, and authorities seized a vehicle containing additional rockets.
In southern Iraq, the Burjesia oil complex in Basra was hit twice. Two drones were shot down by security forces, but a third struck the facility, damaging infrastructure. Other oil fields and Basra airport were also reportedly targeted.
Northern Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, which hosts US troops, saw multiple drone interceptions over Erbil. Kurdish security forces confirmed that four explosive-laden drones were downed, with debris from one falling near a hotel. No casualties were reported.
The attacks are part of escalating tensions linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict. Strikes blamed on Iran targeted Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in northern Kurdistan, following reports that militants might attempt to cross into Iran. Tehran has threatened to hit “all facilities” in the region if Kurdish Iranian militants enter Iranian territory.
Iraq has repeatedly stated it does not want to be drawn into the conflict, but both US and Israel operations against Iran-backed groups in Iraq have made it a frontline in the regional war. Oil production was also disrupted in Dohuk province, affecting a field operated by US firm HKN Energy.
The Iranian Kurdish opposition, including the exiled Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI), reported that their bases in northern Iraq were under attack, with members expressing concern but considering the conflict an opportunity to challenge the Iranian regime.
