SULAIMANI (ESTA) — U.S.-led Coalition forces confirmed on Sunday two explosive-laden drones targeted its troops at Erbil air base, one of which impacted inside perimeter.
Coalition spokesman Col. Wayne Marotto said the attack carried out by two UAS targeted Coalition troops at Erbil air base at around 11:43 p.m. on Saturday.
“Force protection measures were used to defeat the drones,” Marotto said in a tweet.
“1 UAS impacted inside perimeter; 1 UAS impacted outside perimeter. There are no injuries or property damage,” he added.
Kurdistan Region’s counter-terrorism service said early on Sunday that two bomb-laden drones targeted Erbil international airport without causing casualties.
Meanwhile, security forces told Reuters that the drone attack hit near U.S. forces stationed at the airport.
The airport has come under attack several times in the past year, including by drones carrying explosives.
U.S. officials blame previous attacks on Iran-aligned Shia militias which have vowed to fight until the remaining 2,500 U.S. military personnel leave the country.
The U.S. forces are leading an international military coalition whose mandate is to help Iraqi forces fight remnants of Islamic State.
*This story was updated at 11:04 a.m. EBL time
