ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Erbil International Airport was hit by an explosives-laden drone on Wednesday night, the Kurdistan Region’s interior ministry has said.
"After the relevant authorities investigated the explosion at Erbil International Airport tonight, the results show that it was carried out by a TNT drone and directed at the Coalition forces at the airport. There are no casualties and the investigation continues to find the source and place of the drone," the ministry said in a statement.
Before the statement by the interior ministry, the Kurdistan Region’s Counter Terrorism Unit said the airport had been hit by a rocket. A security source told Rudaw that the rocket targeted a base for American troops at the airport.
The US-led Coalition told Rudaw that no injuries had been reported in the attack.
"An unmanned aerial surveillance system landed on a storage hangar at Erbil Air Base... A fire has been extinguished and damages are still being assessed," the Coalition said.
Governor of Erbil Omed Khoshnaw told Rudaw that an investigation into the attack has been launched. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) interior ministry confirmed a few minutes later that investigations were taking place.
There have been no injuries as a result of the attack, said Khoshnaw, who said the Kurdistan Region capital was now safe.
"This is a terrorist action but Erbil is now safe,” he told reporters. "There has not been any decision to suspend flights."
It is not yet clear if the drone attack is related to rocket fire at a Turkish base in Bashiqa, Nineveh province that also took place on Wednesday night. Prime Minister Masrour Barzani condemned both.
“I condemn in the strongest terms tonight’s terror attacks on Erbil International Airport and Turkish military base in Bashiqa, and I condemn the terror group behind them,” PM Barzani said. “These recent attacks are a blatant attempt to undermine our security at home and our cooperation with the global coalition.”
“Any armed groups which are not operating within the official Iraqi security forces must be withdrawn from the Kurdistan Region border. Over the coming days, I will hold talks with Iraqi and international partners on practical ways to make this happen.”
PM Barzani also said he spoke to Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu about the attack.
"We agreed to stay in close contact as the investigation continues," he said.
The Kurdistan Region's Presidency also condemned both attacks.
"The multiple repetition of these attacks requires a serious response, and the Kurdistan Region and Iraqi Federal Government, with the support of the global coalition, should increase coordination and cooperation to confront the groups that are behind these attacks."
The attacks were criticised by politicians in Baghdad too.
"We demand an immediate investigation and the announcement of the party behind these acts of sabotage and their agendas that target state institutions,” said Ammar al-Hakim, head of the Hikma National Movement.
Rocket attacks widely blamed by pro-Iran militias take place frequently across Iraq. Erbil International Airport was the target of a rocket attack in mid-February. Two people died and 13 others were injured, according to the counter-terrorism unit. A little-known militant group by the name of Saraya Awlia al-Dam (Guardians of Blood Brigades) claimed responsibility for the attack.
"Repeated targeting of facilities in Erbil, Baghdad and other regions are condemned terrorist crimes that threaten security of citizen and impede the national efforts to protect the stability and sovereignty of Iraq," Iraqi President Barham Salih said.
Kurdistan Region's Presidency also condemned both attacks.
"The multiple repetition of these attacks requires a serious response, and the Kurdistan Region and Iraqi Federal Government, with the support of the global coalition, should increase coordination and cooperation to confront the groups that are behind these attacks."
In reaction to the attack, media affiliated with Iran-backed militias said “Erbil is not safe anymore... Everything enters Kurdistan with a guarantor, except for the resistance and its attack."
Updated at 1:11 am on April 15, 2021
