Kurdistan
A charcoal factory that was destroyed following drone attacks in Erbil’s Khalifan district on April 1, 2026. Photo: Screengrab / Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Two drones struck and destroyed a charcoal factory in Erbil’s Khalifan district early Wednesday, the factory owner told Rudaw, adding that there were no injuries.
Burhan Blayi, the factory owner, said the facility in Rmawezh village in Erbil’s Soran independent administration was “destroyed completely, and our losses are estimated at more than 60,000 dollars,” he said, noting that no one was hurt.
Sarhad Blayi, the owner’s son, said “nothing remains that is of use anymore.”
Rudaw footage showed drone debris scattered at the site. At the time of writing, no party had claimed responsibility for the attack.
Hundreds of drone and missile attacks have targeted the Kurdistan Region since February 28, when the United States and Israel launched an extensive air campaign against Tehran. In response, Iran has fired thousands of missiles and one-way drones at Israel, US bases across the region, and energy infrastructure, while also blockading the Strait of Hormuz.
While Iraqi pro-Iran armed groups had previously targeted the US base and consulate in Erbil, the pace of attacks has sharply increased since late March.
According to Rudaw monitoring, the Kurdistan Region has been hit by more than 500 drone and missile attacks since the start of the conflict. Most have targeted Erbil, killing 14 people, including civilians, and injuring 96 others, while damaging around 50 homes and 40 civilian vehicles.
The ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) said late Monday that nearly half of the attacks on the Kurdistan Region have been carried out by Tehran.
On March 24, Iranian ballistic missiles struck a Peshmerga base in Erbil province’s Soran district, killing six fighters and injuring at least two dozen others.
Kurdish officials have repeatedly urged the Iraqi federal government to curb militia groups, describing them as “terrorists.”
Andam Jabar contributed to this report from Erbil’s Khalifan district.
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