Mar 6 • 14:32 UTC 🇶🇦 Qatar Al Jazeera

Iraq: Shelling of Iranian Kurdish Camp in Erbil and Drones Target Basra Airport

Iranian Kurdish opposition camps in northern Iraq were targeted by attacks, while drones struck Basra Airport and oil fields in southern Iraq.

On Friday, attacks continued against Iranian Kurdish opposition camps in northern Iraq, specifically near Erbil, the capital of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. Local officials reported that six explosive-laden drones targeted a camp belonging to the Iranian Kurdish Democratic Party, resulting in powerful explosions heard in the area. This escalation comes amidst ongoing airstrikes aimed at opposing forces in the region, which have been met with significant resistance from Kurdish fighters.

In a related incident, four drones crashed into Basra Airport and nearby oil fields in southern Iraq, illustrating the broadening scope of drone warfare in the country. The attacks have raised alarms about the security situation in Iraq, especially in Kurdistan, which has been enjoying a degree of autonomy since 1991. Eyewitnesses in Erbil reported the sound of explosions near the international airport, highlighting the dangers faced in a region that hosts international coalition forces.

The recent drone attacks appear to be part of a larger campaign against Iranian Kurdish opposition groups operating in Iraq. A spokesperson for the Kurdish Democratic Party in exile indicated that their bases are under continuous attack from Iranian forces. The volatile situation underscores the complexities of the regional power dynamics and the ongoing threats posed by drone technology in conflicts involving state and non-state actors in Iraq.

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