Escalating Drone Attacks Target Kurdistan Region: Latest Strike Hits Garmiyan
Kurdistan Region faces escalating drone attacks as latest strike hits Garmiyan. Recent incidents include Yazidi camp bombing in Duhok, multiple interceptions in Erbil, and missile strikes in Kirkuk. PUK condemns 'criminal acts' amid growing security crisis in northern Iraq.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – A drone carrying explosives crashed Thursday in the independent Garmiyan administration, marking the latest incident in a dangerous escalation of aerial attacks targeting the Kurdistan Region.
According to sources who spoke to Kurdistan24, the suicide drone fell between the Sirqala and Kawkes sub-districts in the Kifri district. Security officials reported that although the drone was equipped with two rockets, it failed to detonate and caused no casualties, landing instead in an open field. A shepherd witnessed the incident and alerted local authorities.
A security source disclosed to Kurdistan24, that the drone was approximately two and a half meters long, and its fuel tank was found empty, suggesting that the aircraft may have run out of fuel before reaching its intended target. After the crash, a team from Sulaimani’s Asayish arrived at the scene and transported the wreckage for further investigation.
This latest incident adds to a troubling series of drone and missile strikes across the Kurdistan Region in recent days, raising widespread alarm among residents and officials alike.
Duhok IDP Camp Attack Draws UN Condemnation
On Tuesday, a drone exploded in the Darkar camp for internally displaced Yazidis in Zakho, Duhok province, injuring a child. The attack was condemned by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), which called for immediate investigations and measures to prevent further violations of humanitarian protections.
“The United Nations in Iraq calls for the protection of, and refraining from targeting, displacement camps – including the Darkar camp for Yazidi IDPs,” the statement read, labeling the assault a breach of international humanitarian law.
Drone Downings Continue Across Erbil Province
In Erbil province, coalition forces recently intercepted multiple drones in consecutive days. On June 17, two drones were shot down over Mastawa and Pirdawd villages. Another drone was intercepted over Sherawa village on June 18, and yet another was downed on June 16 during heightened regional tensions between Israel and Iran.
The incidents caused no casualties, but they reflect a persistent threat to the region’s airspace and civilian safety. Investigations are ongoing, and officials have yet to determine the origin of the drones.
Kirkuk and Salahaddin Also Targeted
Simultaneously, a string of missile strikes rocked Kirkuk on July 1, injuring at least one person and damaging civilian and airport infrastructure. Missiles hit a home in the Urouba neighborhood and landed within Kirkuk International Airport’s perimeter. Meanwhile, an unidentified drone was intercepted near the Baiji refinery in Salahaddin province, underscoring the increasing spread of aerial threats beyond the Kurdistan Region.
Sulaimani Incident Spurs Political Reaction
On July 2, two drones crashed near the headquarters of the Peshmerga’s 70th Unit in Tasluja, Sulaimani province, prompting a fierce response from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). The parliamentary bloc condemned the drone strike as a “criminal act” and a grave violation of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region’s sovereignty.
“This is a continuation of a pattern of aggression, following the recent attack on Kirkuk and now targeting Sulaimani,” the statement read, describing the incidents as “dangerous escalations.”
Security officials believe the drones may have been intercepted by a U.S. radar defense system operating at the military command post. No casualties were reported, but the loud explosion and subsequent fire sent shockwaves through the local population.
Federal Investigation Underway
In response to the Sulaimani incident, a delegation from Iraq’s Federal Ministry of Interior visited the drone crash site on Wednesday. The team is working to determine the origin and intended target of the drones. While officials declined to speak on record, the investigation signals Baghdad’s growing concern over the deteriorating security landscape in the northern provinces.
A Pattern of Escalation
The repeated targeting of both civilian and military infrastructure across Duhok, Erbil, Sulaimani, and Kirkuk represents a clear escalation of hostile activity in the Kurdistan Region. These incidents— has not been claimed by anyone until this hour.—underscore the urgent need for enhanced security coordination, defense measures, and international accountability.
