Iranian ballistic missiles target US-coalition base in northern Iraq

WEB DESK: Tensions in the Middle East have reached a fresh breaking point following a heavy barrage of ballistic missiles and “suicide” drones launched at Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. The strikes, claimed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC), specifically targeted the Harir Air Base and the military installation at Erbil International Airport, both of which house United States and coalition forces.

According to Al Jazeera, the assault, which lit up the night sky over northern Iraq, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing regional conflict. Local security sources reported the sound of at least five major explosions near the Harir facility.

While the IRGC has issued a statement claiming a “direct and devastating hit” on what they describe as “Zionist-linked” military headquarters, the Pentagon has remained cautious, confirming that personnel were moved to hardened shelters prior to the impact.

Civilian areas caught in the crossfire

Despite the stated military objectives, the reality on the ground in Erbil has been one of civilian distress. Several projectiles failed to reach their intended targets, instead landing in the predominantly Christian district of Ankawa. Witnesses described scenes of panic as shrapnel damaged residential apartment blocks and shattered windows in local businesses.

Local authorities confirmed the tragic death of a Kurdish security guard, Walat Tahir, who was killed during a drone strike near the airport perimeter. “The city is on edge,” said one local resident. “We are caught in the middle of a war that is not ours, with missiles falling while our children are sleeping.” The Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) has condemned the strikes as a “flagrant violation” of Iraqi sovereignty.

A dangerous cycle of retaliation

This latest wave of violence is widely seen as a direct response to recent military actions involving U.S. and Israeli forces elsewhere in the region. The Erbil strikes have become a recurring flashpoint in the March 2026 escalation, with pro-Iranian militias vowing to continue their campaign until Western forces depart the region entirely.

The international community has reacted with alarm, with British and French diplomats in Baghdad calling for “immediate de-escalation” to prevent a full-scale regional war. For now, the U.S. military has increased its air defence patrols over Erbil, and the airport remains on high alert, with many commercial flights facing delays or cancellations as the threat of further drone incursions looms.