Multiple explosions were reported in Iraq's northern cities of Erbil and Sulaymaniyah following drone attacks. Unverified reports suggest targets included "separatist groups" and arm warehouses, with coalition air defenses intercepting several drones.
The drone strikes in Iraq, particularly near the US Consulate in Erbil and targeting what are described as arm warehouses, indicate a significant escalation of regional tensions and pose a direct security threat to critical infrastructure and international presence.
Multiple explosions were reported in Iraq's northern cities of Erbil and Sulaymaniyah on July 31, 2026, following drone attacks. Unverified reports indicated that the strikes targeted arm warehouses and headquarters belonging to "separatist groups."
According to Al Jazeera, citing police sources and local media, a series of explosions struck Erbil early Tuesday after Iranian drones targeted multiple locations in the Kurdistan region, including areas near the US Consulate. Police sources stated that at least four Iranian drones targeted the Khalifan and Soran areas, northeast of Erbil, triggering large fires. Two drones reportedly crashed near the targeted locations.
The Directorate General of Counter-Terrorism (CTD) in the Kurdistan Region officially confirmed that international coalition air defense systems successfully tracked and intercepted multiple hostile unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). According to the security broadcast, coalition defenses shot down five explosive-laden kamikaze drones in the airspace directly surrounding the regional capital of Erbil before they could reach their intended strategic targets, resulting in zero reported civilian casualties.
A high-order detonation tore through the Tasluja district in Sulaymaniyah at approximately 8:30 PM, followed by a massive structural fire. Local residents and field correspondents verified that the site housed a significant cache of heavy munitions and tactical hardware. The shockwave forced dozens of families in adjacent residential blocks to flee their homes.
Simultaneously, regional radar nets picked up additional low-altitude drone signatures crossing into the Harir mountain range. Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, citing Iraqi sources, reported that an American drone had been destroyed in Iraq's Al Anbar province, with local media publishing images purportedly showing wreckage near the Haditha Dam. IRIB also stated that the Khor Mor gas field in Sulaymaniyah came under attack.