The city of Erbil in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region has faced five consecutive days of rocket and drone attacks amid the ongoing U.S.-led military campaign against neighboring Iran, local officials said Wednesday.
The strikes have repeatedly targeted areas near Erbil International Airport and the U.S. consulate, where American forces are stationed.
On Monday alone, four booby-trapped drones were shot down by U.S. defense systems over the airport and consulate area, without causing casualties, according to a Kurdish security source.
On Wednesday evening, an explosive drone struck the "Pope Francis Residential Complex" in the Christian-majority town of Ankawa. The building houses students and Christian families and contains a small church. While the attack caused significant structural damage to both the complex and surrounding homes, no casualties were reported. Multiple other drone explosions were also recorded across Erbil on Wednesday.
Most incoming projectiles have been intercepted, but debris from downed missiles and drones has scattered across various parts of the city, local sources said, meanwhile local officials reported that the ongoing attacks have disrupted daily life and stoked widespread fear among residents.
The attacks come amid heightened regional tensions following the joint U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran on Saturday, to which Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel and U.S. assets across the Middle East.
Rocket, drone attacks rock Iraq's Erbil for fifth consecutive day
