Erbil Governor Umid Khoshnaw called on the Iraqi government and the international coalition on Wednesday to open a "serious" investigation into the attacks targeting the province and its international airport. Khoshnaw stated in a press conference following Tuesday's attack that "the airport was subjected to a terrorist attack, which did not result in any human or material damage." He added, "Security forces and intelligence and counter-terrorism agencies in the Kurdistan Region have initiated investigations into the attack." The governor considered the incident at Erbil International Airport to be an unequivocal terrorist act.
The attack on Erbil Airport in Kurdish Iraq occurred late Tuesday to Wednesday, as confirmed by the Kurdish Counter-Terrorism Service. The Iraqi News Agency reported that the attack on the airport, which is located close to the US consulate in the city, involved an explosive-laden drone. Earlier on Tuesday evening, sources indicated that passengers were evacuated from aircraft at Erbil Airport, lights were turned off, and airspace over the airport was closed. Sirens were heard at the US consulate in Erbil, and roads leading to Erbil Airport were briefly closed. The attack did not result in human casualties or material damage; it only caused "grass to burn."
The international coalition fighting ISIS confirmed that "a drone fell near Erbil Air Base," noting that there were no reports of human or material losses. Meanwhile, the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) stated that "initial reports indicate no damage at Erbil Airport or any injuries or loss of life."
