Erbil drone attack killed a married couple in a rural area, drawing strong condemnation from Kurdish leaders. Authorities confirmed that the explosive-laden drone hit the couple’s home early Tuesday, causing fatalities.
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani condemned the attack as a “terrorist act” and extended condolences to the victims’ families. He stressed that assaults on civilians are completely unacceptable and must not be repeated. Furthermore, he urged Baghdad to prevent armed groups from targeting the Region and its civilians.
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also denounced the Erbil drone attack, calling it a war crime. He emphasized that the government would raise the victims’ voices internationally to stop unjustified attacks on the people of Kurdistan.
Local authorities reported that three drones targeted the village where the couple lived. Two drones fell in open land, while the third struck the family home. Officials confirmed that the area has no known military presence, highlighting the deliberate targeting of civilians.
Shadowy Iraqi armed groups aligned with Iran-led militias have previously carried out similar strikes, claiming retaliation for US-Israeli campaigns against Iran. However, no group has officially claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s attack.
Since the conflict began, monitoring shows the Kurdistan Region endured 678 drone and missile attacks. Erbil province suffered 540 strikes, Sulaimani 111, Duhok 25, and Halabja two. Prior attacks killed 14 people and injured 93, including civilians, Peshmerga fighters, Asayish personnel, and even a French soldier. The latest deaths in this Erbil drone attack are expected to increase the overall toll.
Kurdish leaders continue to demand international support and stronger protection for civilians. They insist Baghdad must take responsibility and prevent further incidents. Meanwhile, local authorities are increasing security measures to protect vulnerable villages.
The attack underscores the ongoing threats to civilian safety in the Kurdistan Region. Kurdish officials are calling for urgent action to ensure that such drone strikes do not continue.
