Drone attacks signal elevated risks for Kurdistan

SULAIMANIYA/ERBIL - Unknown attackers have launched at least seven aerial drones against targets in Iraqi Kurdistan and northern Iraq in the past four days — a string of security incidents highlighting the persistent threat posed by armed groups operating outside of government control.

Two of the recent attacks, on Thursday evening, appeared to target the airports in Erbil and Kirkuk, which are both adjacent to military bases. In both incidents, at least one drone crashed or was shot down; it was not immediately clear how many drones were involved in each attack. A statement from Kurdistan's Counter-Terrorism forces said nobody was hurt in the Erbil airport attack.