Drones downed over Iraq's Erbil: Kurdish forces
Kurdish forces reported that the U.S.-led coalition successfully intercepted five explosive-laden drones over Erbil, Iraq. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred amid ongoing regional hostilities.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the persistent security volatility in the Middle East and the ongoing risks to coalition forces stationed in the Kurdistan region.
Kurdish forces said the U.S.-led coalition shot down five drones on Friday (July 24, 2026) over Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan region, which has been repeatedly attacked since hostilities resumed in West Asia.
An AFP journalist reported earlier seeing drones hovering over Erbil, before air defences were activated, resulting in explosions and visible smoke near the city's airport, which hosts U.S.-led coalition troops.
Since hostilities resumed in the region, drone attacks, which Kurdish authorities blamed on Iran, have repeatedly been intercepted over Erbil, also home to a major U.S. consulate complex.
Kurdish counterterrorism forces said on Friday (July 24) that "the coalition forces downed five explosive-laden drones over Erbil between 9:32 and 9:45 am".
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