ERBIL — At least eight people were wounded in a drone strike near Erbil in Iraq's Kurdistan Region that regional authorities and an Iranian Kurdish opposition group blamed on Iran, marking the latest reported cross-border attack amid heightened regional tensions.
The Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), an exiled Iranian Kurdish opposition movement, said an explosive-laden drone struck one of its bases in the Chamshar area northeast of Erbil at about 2 a.m. on Sunday, injuring eight members of its armed wing. Party official Adib Khalidian said the group held Iran responsible for the attack.
The reported strike came days after missile attacks in Iraq's Kurdistan Region that regional authorities attributed to Iran. The Kurdistan Region Security Council said earlier attacks had killed members of another Iranian Kurdish opposition group based in Sulaymaniyah province.
Authorities in Erbil reported hearing explosions before dawn as air defense systems were activated over the city. Erbil hosts a major U.S. diplomatic presence and military advisers serving with the U.S.-led coalition stationed at Erbil International Airport. In recent days, coalition air defenses have intercepted multiple drones approaching the city, according to regional officials.
The Kurdistan Regional Government condemned what it described as continued attacks on the autonomous region and called on Baghdad and the international community to take measures to protect Iraqi sovereignty and prevent further strikes. Regional leaders have repeatedly said the Kurdistan Region is not a party to the broader regional conflict.
Iran had not publicly commented on the latest reported strike. Reuters could not independently verify responsibility for the attack.
The incident follows months of drone and missile attacks targeting locations across Iraq's Kurdistan Region. According to statistics published by the Kurdistan Regional Government, hundreds of drone and missile strikes have hit the region since late February, causing civilian casualties and damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure. The regional government says Erbil governorate has experienced the highest number of attacks.
No additional casualties were reported after the latest strike, and Kurdish authorities said they were continuing to assess the situation while monitoring security developments across the region.
