Drone Attacks Target Kurdish Leaders' Homes in Iraq

A series of drone attacks struck key sites in Iraq's Kurdistan Region overnight into Saturday, targeting the residences of prominent Kurdish leaders and a U.S.-linked base near Erbil, amid escalating tensions from the broader U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. The strikes, which caused explosions and widespread alarm but no reported injuries to the leaders, have heightened fears of Iraq being drawn deeper into regional hostilities.

In Erbil, drones hit areas near the home of Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani and struck headquarters of Iranian armed opposition groups, as well as a U.S. support facility close to the city's airport. Local security forces intercepted several of the drones, including one approaching Barzani's residence, though others detonated, sparking panic among residents. A separate incident in Duhok province targeted the home of Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, damaging the property but causing no casualties. Air defenses also downed a drone near a Peshmerga base in the area.

The attacks coincide with a claimed surge in operations by Iran-aligned groups. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coordination body for such factions, stated that its fighters...