Explosions rock Erbil as air defenses systems intercept drones

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Several explosions were heard across Erbil on Wednesday morning as air defense systems intercepted and destroyed multiple drones over the city, according to information obtained by Rudaw.

The blasts occurred between 9 am and 11 am, with a Rudaw reporter confirming that the sounds were the result of drones being shot down by anti-missile systems before reaching their targets.

Data collected by Rudaw indicates a significant escalation in aerial attacks over the past 24 hours, with more than 10 drones launched toward Erbil province and over five toward Sulaimani province.

In the Kurdistan Region's capital Erbil, two drones were reported to have been directed toward the Koya district on Tuesday evening, while the remaining drones targeted the city, with all being intercepted and destroyed by defense systems.

The wave of drone and missile attacks on the Region comes amid a broader conflict that began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched a joint military campaign against Iran.

According to Rudaw’s tracking, most attacks targeting Iranian Kurdish opposition political parties were carried out by Iran, while Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq have claimed responsibility for many of the strikes on the Region which they claim to have targeted the US diplomatic missions and military bases, as air defense systems have intercepted most of the attacks.

Rudaw’s tracking shows that since the start of the conflict, the Region has come under 352 drones and missile attacks.

Of these, 290 targeted Erbil and its surrounding areas, 55 were aimed at Sulaimani, five struck or fell within Duhok province, and two were directed toward the Halabja province's border areas.

At least eight people have been killed and 45 others wounded in the attacks.

The fatalities include a security member (Asayish) at Erbil International Airport, and six Peshmerga fighters from Iranian Kurdish parties.

Among the wounded are security personnel, Peshmerga fighters, foreign troops, and civilians. Thirteen civilians are reported to be among the injured, including a delivery rider in Erbil, a nurse in Koya’s Azadi camp, and a child in Sulaimani.