ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Some 40 drone and missile attacks were launched by Iran-aligned Iraqi armed groups on the Kurdistan Region in less than 48 hours since Wednesday, targeting Erbil and Sulaimani provinces and bringing the total number of attacks carried out by Tehran and its allies in Iraq to around 270 since the start of the Iran‑Israel‑US conflict in late February.
According to Rudaw tracking, 40 attacks occurred since Wednesday with 23 recorded since early Thursday.
The latest strike was reported Thursday morning in the Region’s eastern Sulaimani province, according to the Sulaimani-based Security Agency (Asayish). Drones struck the Peshmerga Command of Region One and the Qalawa neighborhood in Sulaimani city center, slightly injuring one child, according to Rudaw reporter Nizar Jaza. Five attacks were recorded in total in Sulaimani since Wednesday.
The remaining 18 attacks occurred in Erbil province, primarily involving drones targeting the US Consulate and the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State (ISIS) at Erbil International Airport, all of which were intercepted by air defense systems. Debris from the drones fell near Saad Abdullah Hall, the airport perimeter, and the Kani Qirzhala, Bahirka district, and Korean Village areas.
Casualties and damage
Meanwhile, Rudaw monitoring indicates that from February 28 to Thursday, the Kurdistan Region has endured 268 drone and missile attacks.
Erbil and its surroundings have borne the brunt of the strikes, with 223 attacks, followed by 39 in Sulaimani and three attacks involving four drones in northern Duhok province, while eastern Halabja province has experienced the fewest strikes, including a two-drone attack on Mount Shinrwe on March 7.