An explosive drone struck a camp belonging to an Iranian Kurdish opposition group north of Iraq's Erbil on Saturday, security sources reported to Reuters. The attack, which occurred on June 27, 2026, caused no casualties as the camp had been evacuated recently, according to the sources.
Details of the Attack
The drone targeted the Kani Qirzhala area on the outskirts of Erbil, the capital of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region. Smoke was seen billowing from an oil warehouse following the suspected drone strike, as captured by AFP images. The security sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the camp had been emptied prior to the attack, preventing any loss of life.
Context and Implications
This incident occurs against a backdrop of ongoing tensions between Iran and Kurdish opposition groups based in Iraq. Iranian Kurdish dissidents have long used camps in the Kurdistan Region as bases for cross-border activities. The strike underscores the persistent threat of drone warfare in the region, with such weapons increasingly used by state and non-state actors. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but suspicions often fall on Iran, which has previously targeted Iranian Kurdish opposition camps in Iraq.
The Kurdistan Region's security forces have heightened vigilance in the area. The attack did not disrupt daily life in Erbil, but it serves as a reminder of the fragile security situation along the Iran-Iraq border.
