Erbil, Kurdistan Region – The government of the Kurdistan Region has reported a sharp escalation in aerial attacks across the autonomous region of northern Iraq, saying that nearly 50 drones, missiles, and rockets struck various locations over the past two days.

According to a statement released Friday by Aziz Ahmed, deputy chief of staff to Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, the attacks targeted both civilian and military sites across the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Ahmed described the incidents as a significant escalation in security threats facing the region.

“The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has been targeted by almost 50 drones, missiles and rockets in the last two days,” Ahmed said, warning that the attacks have endangered both civilians and security forces.

Ahmed alleged that many of the projectiles were launched by Iraqi militias operating outside the effective control of the central government in Baghdad. He claimed these groups receive funding and weapons from the Iraqi state, though he did not name specific factions.

Several Iran-aligned armed groups operate within the Popular Mobilization Forces, a paramilitary network that was formally integrated into Iraq’s security apparatus but has frequently been criticized for maintaining independent command structures.

Security analysts say these groups have increasingly used drones and rockets to strike targets in northern Iraq, including areas connected to the international coalition presence and infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region.

Ahmed also criticized the response of the Government of Iraq, accusing federal authorities of failing to condemn the attacks or take action against those responsible.

“The attacks by these groups have been met with a deafening silence from the Iraqi government,” he said. “Zero condemnation. Zero action to remove the criminals in Mosul and Kirkuk who are targeting us.”
The remarks reflect growing frustration within the Kurdistan Regional Government over what officials say is inadequate action by Baghdad to curb militia activity in disputed territories, particularly around Mosul and Kirkuk.

Ahmed stressed that the Kurdistan Regional Government is not involved in the broader regional conflicts that may have triggered the attacks.

“The KRG is not involved in this war; we have publicly declared neutrality,” he said.
Officials in Erbil have repeatedly emphasized their intention to keep the Kurdistan Region out of regional confrontations, particularly amid rising tensions between Iran-aligned militias and Western forces operating in Iraq.

Despite its declared neutrality, the Kurdistan Region remains strategically significant due to its international military presence and key economic infrastructure, including energy facilities and airports. These factors have made it a frequent target of drone and rocket attacks in recent years.

The surge of strikes over the past 48 hours has raised concern among Kurdish officials and international observers, who warn that continued attacks could destabilize one of Iraq’s most relatively stable regions.

Security authorities across the Kurdistan Region have reportedly intensified airspace monitoring and defensive measures while investigating the origin and scale of the attacks.