Drones Breach Iraqi Airspace, Some Crash Near U.S. Consulate in Erbil

A swarm of drones breached Iraqi airspace on Sunday morning, with several crashing near the U.S. consulate in Erbil, according to media reports.

The drones reportedly entered Iraqi airspace around 9:30 a.m., with air defense systems intercepting some of the aircraft while others fell near the U.S. diplomatic compound. Additional drones were said to have crashed into a residential complex in Erbil.

Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, has witnessed continued drone activity since Saturday, with swarms flying over areas surrounding the U.S. consulate and Erbil International Airport. The airport hosts the Harir base used by the international coalition, where military advisers and troops are stationed. Some personnel were recently redeployed from Baghdad to Erbil, according to the reports.

Security tensions have escalated across several Iraqi provinces, particularly those hosting facilities linked to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and U.S. military bases. The developments come amid ongoing exchanges of attacks between Iraqi armed factions on one side and strikes reportedly carried out by Israel and the United States targeting PMF-affiliated sites on the other.

No immediate official statement was issued regarding casualties or the extent of the damage. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation as regional tensions remain high.