Drone shot down near Iraqi airport hosting US troops: Security forces - Region
"At 21:58 (1858 GMT) an explosive-packed drone was downed near Arbil International Airport, without causing casualties or damage," said the counterterrorism services of the Kurdistan region.
Arbil airport, which includes a military base of the international anti-jihadist coalition, was a frequent target in previous years for rocket and drone attacks.
A US defence official told AFP "we are aware of an explosion from a UAV that occurred outside of the airbase in Arbil", adding that the "incident is under investigation".
"All US personnel are accounted for and there were no injuries or damage to the base or US assets in the area," he said.
Dana Tofeek, the airport's interim director, told AFP that the facility is "safe", adding that "only one flight was slightly delayed due to security measures".
There has been no claim of responsibility for the drone attack.
In the past days, drone and rocket attacks have been reported in different parts of Iraq, including drones that landed in open spaces.
Earlier on Thursday, an explosive-packed drone fell near Kirkuk airport, which was struck on Monday by two rockets, a senior security official told AFP.
Kirkuk airport hosts Iraqi army units, federal police and the Hashed al-Shaabi, a coalition of pro-Iran former paramilitary forces now integrated into the regular armed forces.
Early on Tuesday, Iraq's anti-aircraft defence engaged at least one drone near the key refinery of Baiji in Salaheddin province.
Last week, hours before a ceasefire ended the 12-day Iran-Israel war, unidentified drones struck radar systems at two military bases, in Baghdad and southern Iraq.
Iraq has long been a battleground of drone and rocket assaults and proved a fertile ground for proxy wars.
The country has only recently regained a semblance of stability after decades of devastating conflicts and turmoil.
Follow us on:
Short link:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
See - Sada Elbalad
7 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
BRICS Nations Surpass $60 Trillion in Assets, Russian Minister
Taarek Refaat Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov announced that the total financial assets of BRICS nations have now exceeded $60 trillion, underscoring the bloc's expanding economic footprint and growing influence on global financial architecture. Speaking during a meeting of the Board of Governors of the New Development Bank (NDB)—the financial arm of BRICS—Siluanov emphasized the bank's evolving role as a key driver of investment across both BRICS member states and the broader Global South. "This year marks a decade since the establishment of the New Development Bank, which has become the principal financial instrument for funding development projects not only within BRICS countries but also across the Global South,' Siluanov said, according to the Russian state-run news agency TASS. Siluanov highlighted the demographic and economic significance of developing nations, noting that countries in the Global South collectively account for nearly 70% of the world's population and contribute about 60% of global GDP. He added that the financial assets of these nations now represent more than half of global total assets, exceeding $60 trillion. 'These figures reflect a profound shift in global economic power,' the minister stated, adding that the NDB plays a pivotal role in channeling capital toward emerging market priorities, especially infrastructure development. The Russian finance chief called for a new approach to mobilizing long-term, sustainable capital, stressing the need to modernize investment mechanisms. This, he said, could include expanding the use of digital financial assets to enhance capital flows and project financing. Siluanov's remarks come as BRICS—comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and newly admitted members—seeks to deepen financial cooperation and promote alternatives to traditional Western-led financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank. As global economic dynamics shift, the BRICS bloc is positioning itself as a counterbalance to Western financial dominance, advocating for greater representation of developing economies in global governance, and investing in infrastructure as a pathway to sustainable development. The New Development Bank, headquartered in Shanghai, has financed dozens of projects since its inception in 2015, ranging from transportation and energy infrastructure to water and sanitation initiatives. read more CBE: Deposits in Local Currency Hit EGP 5.25 Trillion Morocco Plans to Spend $1 Billion to Mitigate Drought Effect Gov't Approves Final Version of State Ownership Policy Document Egypt's Economy Expected to Grow 5% by the end of 2022/23- Minister Qatar Agrees to Supply Germany with LNG for 15 Years Business Oil Prices Descend amid Anticipation of Additional US Strategic Petroleum Reserves Business Suez Canal Records $704 Million, Historically Highest Monthly Revenue Business Egypt's Stock Exchange Earns EGP 4.9 Billion on Tuesday Business Wheat delivery season commences on April 15 News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
Al-Ahram Weekly
12 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Drone shot down near Iraqi airport hosting US troops: Security forces - Region
A drone was intercepted late on Thursday near Arbil airport, which houses US-led anti-jihadist coalition troops in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, Kurdish security forces said. "At 21:58 (1858 GMT) an explosive-packed drone was downed near Arbil International Airport, without causing casualties or damage," said the counterterrorism services of the Kurdistan region. Arbil airport, which includes a military base of the international anti-jihadist coalition, was a frequent target in previous years for rocket and drone attacks. A US defence official told AFP "we are aware of an explosion from a UAV that occurred outside of the airbase in Arbil", adding that the "incident is under investigation". "All US personnel are accounted for and there were no injuries or damage to the base or US assets in the area," he said. Dana Tofeek, the airport's interim director, told AFP that the facility is "safe", adding that "only one flight was slightly delayed due to security measures". There has been no claim of responsibility for the drone attack. In the past days, drone and rocket attacks have been reported in different parts of Iraq, including drones that landed in open spaces. Earlier on Thursday, an explosive-packed drone fell near Kirkuk airport, which was struck on Monday by two rockets, a senior security official told AFP. Kirkuk airport hosts Iraqi army units, federal police and the Hashed al-Shaabi, a coalition of pro-Iran former paramilitary forces now integrated into the regular armed forces. Early on Tuesday, Iraq's anti-aircraft defence engaged at least one drone near the key refinery of Baiji in Salaheddin province. Last week, hours before a ceasefire ended the 12-day Iran-Israel war, unidentified drones struck radar systems at two military bases, in Baghdad and southern Iraq. Iraq has long been a battleground of drone and rocket assaults and proved a fertile ground for proxy wars. The country has only recently regained a semblance of stability after decades of devastating conflicts and turmoil. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
12 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Over 500 killed around GHF aid distributions in Gaza: UN - War on Gaza
More than 500 Palestinians have been killed in the vicinity of the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's (GHF) distribution sites since late May, the United Nations said on Friday. The GHF, presented as a private initiative, began operating on 26 May after Israel enforced a total blockade on all supplies into Gaza for more than two months, triggering warnings of famine. Since then, Israeli troops have repeatedly opened fire on Palestinians gathering near GHF aid sites. The UN said these incidents, along with Israeli attacks on humanitarian convoys, have resulted in hundreds of deaths. 'We have recorded 613 killings near GHF distribution points and near humanitarian convoys since the GHF began operations, until noon on 27 June,' UN human rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani told reporters. 'Of the 613, 509 were killed near GHF distribution points,' she said. The rest were killed near UN and non-UN aid convoys. Shamdasani said the numbers are likely higher, as the UN continues to receive further reports of Israeli attacks it is working to corroborate. Call for investigation She added that Israel's refusal to grant access to Gaza was obstructing independent verification. 'It is clear that the Israeli military has shelled and shot at Palestinians trying to reach the distribution points,' Shamdasani said. 'How many killings? Who is responsible? We need an investigation. We need access. We need an independent inquiry, and we need accountability for these killings.' The UN and major humanitarian groups have refused to work with the GHF, warning that it was created to serve Israeli military interests and violates core humanitarian principles. Headquartered in Delaware, the GHF is chaired by Johnnie Moore, a Christian evangelical leader and ally of US President Donald Trump. On Thursday, the foundation claimed to have distributed over a million food boxes in Gaza. 'We have not had a single violent incident in our distribution sites. We haven't had a violent incident in close proximity to our distribution sites,' Moore told reporters in Brussels on Wednesday. That claim is contradicted by numerous eyewitness accounts and medical reports from Gaza. Rik Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization's representative in the occupied Palestinian territories, condemned the killings: 'The senseless killing in Gaza must stop.' After visiting Nasser Medical Complex this week, he described hospital corridors packed with wounded civilians. 'There are patients everywhere — on the floor, in the corridors,' he said. 'It's mainly boys, young adolescents, young men, and we all know that they go to these so-called safe, non-UN food distribution sites,' he added. 'There are so many of these cases shot in the head, shot in the neck, shot in the chest. *This story was edited by Ahram Online. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
