Drone Attack Strikes Near US Forces In Erbil, Northern Iraq

JAKARTA - A drone strike hit near US troops stationed at Erbil International Airport in northern Iraq on Saturday, September 11, Iraqi Kurdish security officials said.

The interior security service for Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, of which Erbil is the capital, initially said three rockets hit near the airport.

A second statement by the Kurdish counter-terrorism force said the attack was carried out by an explosives-laden drone.

There were no immediate reports of casualties. Witnesses said they heard at least six explosions in the area. The airport in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish autonomous region, has been attacked several times in the past year, including by drones carrying explosives.

US officials blamed earlier attacks on Shiite Muslim militias allied with Iran who have vowed to fight until the remaining 2,500 US military personnel leave the country.

US troops lead an international military coalition whose mandate is to help Iraqi forces fight the remnants of the Sunni extremist Islamic State group. The coalition did not immediately comment on Saturday's incident. This was reported by Reuters from Antara, Sunday, September 12.