An attack with “armed drones” took place in the north Iraq, targeting Erbil International Airport, near the US Consulate.
The airport, which houses an air base that houses troops of the international anti-jihadist coalition, “Did not suffer any damage”, said the director of the airport, Ahmed Hossiar, to the French Agency.
“There are no casualties from the attack carried out by two armed unmanned aircraft against Erbil International Airport”said in a statement the anti-terrorist service of the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan.
An AFP correspondent said he heard two loud explosions and saw black smoke in the sky, and sirens sounding from the US consulate.
Eyewitnesses told Reuters they had heard at least six explosions in the area.
The internal security service of the autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq initially reported that three rockets landed near the airport.
According to eyewitnesses, cited by the French Agency, access to the airport premises has been blocked by a strong presence of security forces.
Such attacks, targeting specific US troops and interests in Iraq, have been repeated regularly in recent months. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but the United States has blamed pro-Iranian militias.
The use of new unmanned aircraft has caused headaches in the international coalition, as these jets may not be intercepted by the C-RAM arrays installed by the Americans to protect military and diplomatic personnel.
In July, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attack was launched against Erbil International Airport, causing no injuries or property damage. A few weeks earlier, another attack by three drones targeted Baghdad airport, where US troops have been deployed.
Sworn enemies, Iran and the United States, both have a presence or alliance in Iraq, where Washington maintains a force of about 2,500 troops.
Last night’s attack came on the day the United States marked the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001, paying tribute to the victims of jihadist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.
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