Explosions and Rising Smoke Near Erbil International Airport in Iraqi Kurdistan
The Counter-Terrorism forces in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq announced on Friday that the US-led international coalition shot down five explosive-laden drones over Erbil, the largest city in the autonomous region, which has been subjected to repeated attacks since the resumption of the war in the Middle East, according to the Agence France-Presse.
A correspondent for the Agence France-Presse reported earlier hearing explosions near Erbil International Airport, which houses forces from the international coalition in northern Iraq.
The explosions were heard after the activation of air defense systems, while clouds of smoke were seen rising near the airport and drones flying over the city, according to the correspondent.
The region's counter-terrorism forces said in a statement: 'Between 9:32 and 9:45 am (Friday), coalition forces managed to shoot down five explosive-laden drones in the skies of Erbil.'
The statement added: 'Fortunately, they did not result in any casualties.'
Since the escalation between the United States and Iran renewed, Erbil has been subjected to repeated drone attacks, which Kurdish authorities have blamed on Tehran.
The city houses a major U.S. consulate complex, and soldiers from the international coalition are deployed near its airport.
Since the outbreak of the war in the Middle East on February 28, Iran and loyal Iraqi factions have targeted sites in the Kurdistan Region.
However, these factions have not claimed responsibility for any new attacks since the renewed conflict in the region.
The Kurdistan Region also hosts exiled Iranian Kurdish dissidents, who have previously been targeted by rocket and drone attacks attributed to Iran.
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Original source: Asharq Al-Awsat
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