Iranian-Launched Drones Target Kurdistan PM Barzani's Office and Intelligence Chief's Home in Erbil

Two Hadid-110 kamikaze drones struck near the private office of Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in Erbil's Pirmam district and the home of the head of the Parastin intelligence agency shortly after midnight (00:28 local) on Aug 17. The Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Directorate said the drones were launched from Iranian territory; no casualties were reported. Barzani called it 'a dangerous escalation and a direct threat to the security and stability of the Kurdistan Region.' Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied Iranian responsibility, saying 'nothing justifies the reckless attack on PM Barzani's office' and urging Kurdish officials to 'be vigilant against false-flag ploys to sow discord between neighbours' — leaving attribution contested between Kurdish security's territorial tracing and Iran's denial. Iraqi PM Ali Faleh al-Zaidi ordered an investigative committee. The strike was the latest in a wave of at least 16 drones and 3 missiles that hit Iraqi Kurdistan in the first two weeks of August.