Drone Attack on Iraqi Kurdistan Military Base, Authorities Accuse "Outlaws" Funded by Baghdad

Defense news ,Iraq :- In a recent incident, authorities in Iraqi Kurdistan reported that a military base used by the region security forces was struck by two drones on Saturday. The attack occurred late in the evening in Arbil province, causing damage to the facility but fortunately resulting in no casualties, according to a statement from the regional government.

The targeted military base belongs to the peshmerga forces, who are key allies of the US-led anti-jihadist coalition with troops deployed in Iraq. The authorities in Iraqi Kurdistan attributed the attack to "outlaws" funded by the federal government in Baghdad, with whom the autonomous region has strained relations.

Despite the incident, there has been no immediate claim for the attack. However, a notable surge in attacks on US forces and their allies in Iraq and neighboring Syria has been observed since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7. The majority of these attacks have been claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an alliance of Iran-linked armed groups opposing US support for Israel in the Gaza conflict.

On Sunday, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for another drone attack, targeting US-led coalition forces stationed at Arbil airport. Authorities in the region reported that the drone was successfully intercepted and shot down.

In response to the escalating situation, the prime minister of Kurdistan, Masrour Barzani, expressed deep concern over Saturday drone attack. He condemned the "outlaws" and their collaborators, emphasizing his strong disapproval on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The regional government accused these groups of being funded by the federal government in Baghdad, which prompted strained relations between the two entities. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani office announced on Sunday that a thorough investigation into the criminal drone attack had been ordered, in coordination with the Iraqi Kurdish security services. The current government in Baghdad is supported by pro-Tehran parties, adding a complex dimension to the already tense situation in the region.