US Forces in Iraq Face Drone Attacks in Recent 24 Hours
The United States military, operating in Iraq under the umbrella of the United States Central Command, reported a sharp escalation in unmanned aerial threats this week. CENTCOM stated that three drones targeted American troops in Iraq within a 24-hour period. In western Iraq, authorities detected two UAVs and took decisive action that led to one being shot down, another destroyed, and several soldiers sustaining minor injuries. CENTCOM officials noted that a third unmanned aerial vehicle was brought down in northern Iraq.
Local Iraqi sources initially described the incident as the interception of bomb drones aimed at a US military base in the north. Later, a claim emerged from an Iraqi armed faction asserting ties to Palestinian groups engaged in conflicts with Israel. Official statements emphasized the ongoing risk posed by drone incursions and the need for heightened defensive measures near strategic installations.
In the Kurdistan Region, authorities reported that a drone bomb fell near a military base housing American forces in Erbil, the regional capital. The Kurdish administration described the event as occurring at 12:18 local time, with the drone crashing into desert terrain near Batasi village in Harir district of Erbil province. Initial assessments indicated there was no material damage or disruption to operations, and security forces continued to monitor the area.
A source from Erbil Police, speaking on condition of anonymity to reporters, attributed the downing of the drone to US air defense systems deployed at the Harir base. The official noted that the attempt targeted the base and that the defense response successfully neutralized the threat.
Claims of responsibility for the attempted attack were later issued by an armed organization identifying itself as Tashkil al Warezin, or the Formation of the Heirs. The group aligned itself with others within a broader assembly of Shiite factions working in Iraq. In its statement, the group asserted support for Palestinian groups currently in conflict with Israel and described the operation against the Al Harir facility as a strategic move with framing intentions for broader support actions. The message also referenced ongoing clashes around the Al-Aqsa Mosque, signaling the political dimension that often accompanies regional security incidents.
Security officials in Iraq and coalition partners continue to monitor the evolving threat landscape, noting the persistence of unmanned threats in multiple corridors across the country. The incidents underscore the importance of robust air defense networks and rapid response protocols to protect personnel and bases hubbed near conflict zones. Analysts point to the complexity of the region, where militia-led claims intersect with broader regional rivalries and external state interests. While the immediate aim of the drone actions remains contested, the effects are clear: heightened caution around US installations and reinforced readiness among allied forces operating in Iraq.