Conflict & Security
Blasts heard near Erbil airport after air defences activated
Several blasts were heard on Friday near Erbil airport, which hosts US-led coalition troops in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, an AFP journalist reported.
The journalist said the explosions were heard after air defences were activated. The journalist also saw drones over the city and smoke rising from the airport area.
The report did not identify the cause of the blasts, say whether anyone was injured, or say whether airport operations were affected.
Drones have repeatedly been intercepted over Erbil since hostilities resumed in the Middle East. Erbil is also home to a major US consulate complex.
Update
The airport hosts US-led coalition troops in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region.
An AFP journalist said explosions were heard after air defences were activated.
The journalist saw drones over the city.
The journalist saw smoke rising in the airport area.
The report says drones have repeatedly been intercepted over Erbil since hostilities resumed in the Middle East.
Erbil is also home to a major US consulate complex.
Source note: AFP news report published on 24 July 2026 at 07:11:10 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The cause of the blasts was not identified in the report.
The report did not say whether there were casualties or damage.
The report did not say whether airport operations were affected.
Source
AFP news report published on .