Arbil, Iraq – July 14, 2025: Kurdish security forces shot down a drone packed with explosives near Arbil International Airport early Monday, in the second such incident this month near the strategic site that hosts US coalition forces.
According to a statement from the Kurdistan region’s counterterrorism services, the drone was intercepted at 2:20 a.m. local time (1120 GMT) before it could reach the airport. Authorities confirmed there were no casualties or infrastructure damage.
“An explosive-laden drone was downed near Arbil International Airport, without causing casualties or damage,” the statement said.
The airport includes a base for the international coalition led by the United States, which has been operating in Iraq to combat remnants of the Islamic State (IS) group. In recent years, the site has repeatedly come under attack by rockets and drones, often blamed on Iran-aligned factions.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the latest drone attempt. However, a similar incident on July 3 saw Kurdish authorities accuse the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), also known as Hashed al-Shaabi in Arabic, of being behind the attack.
The PMF, a powerful coalition of pro-Iranian militias officially integrated into Iraq’s armed forces, rejected the accusation. The federal government in Baghdad also condemned the statement, calling it “entirely unacceptable under any pretext, particularly as it was made in the absence of evidence.”
Iraq has seen a resurgence in drone and rocket attacks in recent weeks, many landing in remote or open areas but nonetheless stoking fears of renewed instability in the region. These incidents are widely believed to be part of ongoing proxy tensions between Iran-aligned factions and US interests in Iraq.
Though Iraq has begun to emerge from decades of conflict, including the fight against IS and the US-led invasion of 2003, its security remains fragile. The presence of foreign troops, internal political divisions, and the influence of armed groups continue to challenge efforts at lasting stability.
Security experts warn that such aerial attacks, particularly near sensitive installations like Arbil Airport, underscore the persistent risks facing both Iraqi authorities and international partners.
The US-led coalition has yet to issue a statement on Monday’s incident, but regional observers expect increased surveillance and tightened security around coalition bases in response.