An explosion occurred in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq on Sunday evening, the third day of the Israel-Iran war. Residents said the explosion was caused by a drone and images appeared to show an object on fire falling from the sky.

While not immediately clear if the object was a falling missile or drone, the incident highlights how the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq is on edge during the war. Rudaw media in Erbil reported, “a loud blast was heard in Erbil early Monday after a suspected drone fell down, reportedly intercepted by the new US consulate compound’s aerial defense system.”

Many Kurds in northern Iraq have always been forced to contend with threats from Iran, Turkey, and Baghdad. This is because the Kurds historically have been denied a state and this has led to many regimes suppressing them. In northern Iraq, the Kurdistan region is autonomous, meaning it has its armed forces and it has two international airports. However, it is still under pressure, often from its larger neighbors. In addition, Iranian-backed militias in Iraq have often threatened the region.

Iran's attacks on Erbil

Erbil has been attacked by missiles in the past, launched by Iran. Iran has claimed to target “spies” in Erbil that Iran claims are linked to Israel. Iran has killed Kurdish civilians during these attacks. In addition, Iran has launched missiles at Kurdish dissidents who have bases in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. These bases are near Koya and other areas.

Iranian-backed militias have also used drones to target the region. The drones have been used to attack gas fields and other sites, as well as target US forces at a base at Erbil International Airport.

People demonstrate in front of the United Nations headquarters, following missile attacks by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, in Erbil, Iraq, January 16, 2024 (credit: REUTERS/AZAD LASHKARI)
People demonstrate in front of the United Nations headquarters, following missile attacks by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, in Erbil, Iraq, January 16, 2024 (credit: REUTERS/AZAD LASHKARI)
Therefore, many Kurds assume that eventually there will be spillover from the war in Iran into the Kurdistan region.

This could come in the form of attacks by Iran on Kurds in Iran and then attacks on Kurdish Iranian dissident groups who are in Iraq. These groups, such as the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI), the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK), Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) and Komala. 

Another concern for people in Erbil is that Iran or Iranian-backed groups may target the US consulate in Erbil. This large building and complex have been constructed in recent years to expand the smaller, older American consulate. This comes as the US has shifted forces to the Kurdistan region and as the US generally feels that its Kurdish partners are more stable in northern Iraq.

US forces have often been targeted in Baghdad and at bases where US personnel are in Iraq, such as Al-Asad base. This means the US feels more secure in northern Iraq’s Kurdistan region. However, Iran may threaten this security. 

People in Erbil say they have had sirens on Saturday and Sunday, and that this indicates possible drone threats or missile threats. This is because drones and missiles may also fall on the region as they pass over the area.

Rudaw added that “the suspected drone, which crashed down in northeast Erbil, near the new US consulate compound, was reportedly downed by the consulate’s aerial defense system.” No officials commented on the incident as of Monday.

“Kurdish security forces rushed to the crash site in the immediate aftermath of the blast. No casualties were reported and security forces have cordoned the area for investigations. Rudaw English has not independently verified whether the projectile was a drone or whether it was intercepted by US forces,” the report noted.