Iraq’s National Security Advisor Arrives in Erbil Amid Ongoing Drone Attacks on Kurdistan Region

Peregraf

Iraq’s National Security Advisor, Qassim al-Araaji, arrived in Erbil on Monday morning, accompanied by a high-level security delegation, amid growing concerns over a series of drone attacks targeting the Kurdistan Region—just four hours after the latest drone bomb landed near Erbil.

According to government sources, the visit was made on the instructions of the Iraqi Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. While the purpose of the visit has not been officially disclosed, sources familiar with the matter told Peregraf that the delegation is expected to hold urgent meetings on the escalating drone threat.

The delegation includes the Deputy Commander of Joint Operations, the Deputy Head of the Intelligence Agency, the Deputy Head of the National Security Agency, the Commander of the Air Defense Force, the Director of Military Intelligence, and the Director of Intelligence and Counterterrorism.

Earlier today, the Kurdistan Region’s Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD) announced that a drone bomb had crashed in the Rzgari sub-district of Khabat, west of Erbil, at 5:50 a.m. There were no casualties reported. 

Since June 30, more than ten drone-related incidents have been reported in Erbil, Duhok, Sulaymaniyah, and Zakho, most of which targeted oil fields and energy infrastructure.

This wave of attacks marks the first time that destructive drone strikes have been directed at the Kurdistan Region’s oilfields. According to a statement from the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Ministry of Natural Resources, the bomb-laden drones caused “significant damage” to oilfield infrastructure, resulting in “substantial material losses” in production operations.

A Peregraf investigation found that five out of eight active oil contract areas—comprising nine fields—have been targeted. The affected fields account for the majority of the region’s oil output, with several other fields forced to suspend operations due to the threat.