ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish blocs in the Iraqi parliament have warned about the increasing missile and drone attacks on the Kurdistan Region, saying the federal government’s silence amid the ongoing assaults poses a direct threat to stability across Iraq.
Drone attacks targeting the Kurdistan Region continued for the twelfth consecutive night early Thursday, as the US-Israel war with Iran continues to destabilize the region.
Shakhawan Abdullah, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s (KDP) parliamentary bloc, read a joint statement during a press conference, saying security information indicates that most of the attacks originate from areas where federal security and military forces are present.
“This raises serious doubts and concerns about the existence of undisciplined and outlawed armed groups operating outside the authority of the state, yet carrying out attacks from areas under federal jurisdiction,” the statement said.
Kurdish factions also warned that the attacks have “expanded in both quantity and geography,” now openly targeting civilian homes and economic sites, resulting in civilian casualties and heavy damage to the Kurdistan Region’s infrastructure.
The statement criticized the federal government for failing to take effective steps to punish those responsible for the attacks.
It also said the Iraqi parliament’s position has not been at the required level and “did not clearly address the threats facing the Kurdistan Region.”
Kurdish lawmakers called for the formation of a special parliamentary committee to investigate the attacks, determine the facts, identify those responsible, and bring them to justice.
They also urged the Iraqi government to fulfill its responsibility to protect the security of the Kurdistan Region as an integral part of Iraq’s national security.
The statement concluded by warning that the continuation of the attacks “raises serious questions about the ability of the state to enforce the law and protect its citizens,” adding that it is no longer acceptable for the Kurdistan Region to become a victim of regional conflicts.
Erbil remains the primary focus of the strikes.
Erbil Governor Omed Xoshnaw said the city came under 17 drone attacks in a single night, all of which were intercepted, though falling debris caused material damage to several homes.
According to Rudaw’s tracking, nearly 250 drones have been directed toward the Kurdistan Region. Of those, more than 200 drones and missiles targeted Erbil province, leaving four people dead and 19 others injured.