Top Iraqi Security Chief Arrives in Erbil to Probe Drone Attacks
Iraq's National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji is in Erbil to investigate over 20 recent drone and missile attacks on the Kurdistan Region. The visit comes just hours after another drone was shot down near Erbil, highlighting the urgent security threat.
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Iraq's National Security Advisor (NSA) Qasim al-Araji arrived in Erbil on Monday morning at the head of a high-level security delegation to investigate a relentless wave of drone and missile attacks, a visit made all the more urgent by the downing of another bomb-laden drone in Erbil province just hours earlier.
The federal delegation, including Deputy Joint Operations Commander Qais al-Muhammadawi and other senior Iraqi security officials, arrived at Erbil International Airport around 9:00 AM on Monday. KRG Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed officially received them.
According to information from Kurdistan24 correspondent Nawras Abdullah, the primary purpose of the visit is to conduct a direct investigation into the recent spate of drone attacks that have systematically targeted the airports and oil fields of the Kurdistan Region.
This marks the first official visit to the region by Iraq's National Security Advisor since the attacks began at the start of this month. Previously, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani had established a committee to investigate the assaults, but its findings have not yet been made public.
The Kurdistan24 correspondent also noted that al-Araji is scheduled to meet with senior officials of the Kurdistan Region. The discussions are expected to focus on the attacks, the broader relationship between Erbil and Baghdad, and several other pressing issues.
The gravity and immediacy of the threat were underscored by an incident just hours before the delegation's arrival. The Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Directorate announced that at 5:50 AM on Monday morning, a bomb-laden drone was successfully shot down in the Rizgari sub-district, located within the Khebat district of Erbil province.
Since the beginning of July, the Kurdistan Region has endured more than 20 separate drone and missile attacks. Nine of these strikes have specifically targeted crucial energy infrastructure, including the Khurmala, Khor Mor, Sarsink, Atrush, Bai Hassan, Peshkhabur, and Tawke oil fields, as well as the facilities of Hunt Oil. The remainder of the attacks have been aimed at security forces and airports within the region.
