Iraqi PM Condemns Erbil Drone Attack, Orders Security Measures to Prevent Further Strikes

16-07-2026 08:50

Peregraf — Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi on Wednesday condemned the drone attack over Erbil, describing it as a violation of Iraqi airspace and pledging that authorities would take all necessary measures to prevent similar incidents.

“In line with our constitutional responsibility, we strongly condemn the drone attack that violated the airspace over the city of Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq,” al-Zaidi said in a post on X. 

“We will not tolerate these malicious attempts, which seek in vain to undermine the stability of our people and their determined path toward state-building and civil peace.”

The prime minister said he had directed Iraq’s security agencies, in coordination with the Kurdistan Region’s security forces, to intensify efforts to prevent further attacks. 

“We have directed the competent security agencies, in coordination with the security forces in the Kurdistan Region, to exert every effort and take all necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such attacks and put a stop to anyone seeking to undermine the security of our Iraqi society, wherever they may be,” he said.

Earlier Wednesday night, the Kurdistan Region’s Counter-Terrorism Directorate announced that Coalition forces intercepted and shot down eight explosive-laden drones over Erbil between 8:53 p.m. and 9:20 p.m. local time.

The directorate said no casualties or injuries were reported and did not identify the origin of the drones or their intended target.

The incident comes as hostilities between the United States and Iran have resumed following the collapse of an earlier ceasefire. Since July 11, U.S. Central Command has carried out repeated strikes on Iranian targets, while Iran and allied forces have reportedly launched attacks against U.S. and allied positions across the region, according to international reports.

The drone interception over Erbil also follows a series of drone attacks targeting the Kurdistan Region in recent months amid the wider U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran.