ERBIL, Iraq — A drone was intercepted late on Thursday near Erbil airport, which houses US-led anti-jihadist coalition troops in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, Kurdish security forces said.
“At 21:58 (1858 GMT) an explosive-packed drone was downed near Erbil International Airport, without causing casualties or damage,” said the counterterrorism services of the Kurdistan region.
Erbil airport, which includes a military base of the international anti-jihadist coalition, was a frequent target in previous years for rocket and drone attacks.
A US defense official told AFP, “We are aware of an explosion from a UAV that occurred outside of the airbase in Erbil,” adding that the “incident is under investigation.”
“All US personnel are accounted for and there were no injuries or damage to the base or US assets in the area,” he said.
Dana Tofeek, the airport’s interim director, told AFP that the facility is “safe,” adding that “only one flight was slightly delayed due to security measures.”
There has been no claim of responsibility for the drone attack.
In the past days, drone and rocket attacks have been reported in different parts of Iraq, including drones that landed in open spaces.
Earlier on Thursday, an explosive-packed drone fell near Kirkuk airport, which was struck on Monday by two rockets, a senior security official told AFP.
Kirkuk airport hosts Iraqi army units, federal police, and the Hashed al-Shaabi, a coalition of pro-Iran former paramilitary forces now integrated into the regular armed forces.
Early on Tuesday, Iraq’s anti-aircraft defense engaged at least one drone near the key refinery of Baiji in Salaheddin province.
Last week, hours before a ceasefire ended the 12-day Iran-Israel war, unidentified drones struck radar systems at two military bases in Baghdad and southern Iraq.
Iraq has long been a battleground of drone and rocket assaults and has proved a fertile ground for proxy wars.
The country has only recently regained a semblance of stability after decades of devastating conflicts and turmoil.