Iranian Kurdish group says drone strike wounded eight members in Iraq

An exiled Iranian Kurdish opposition group said a drone strike in Iraq's Kurdistan region wounded eight of its members on Sunday, and blamed Iran for the attack. Adib Khaldian from the exiled Kurdistan Freedom Party, known as PAK, said Iranian forces attacked a party camp near Erbil with a drone at 02:00 local time, or 2300 GMT Saturday. He said eight members were wounded.

The attack followed drone and rocket attacks on Friday that were also blamed on Iran and that killed nine members of the Komala Party, another Iranian Kurdish opposition group. The latest violence took place in northern Iraq's Kurdistan region, which hosts US troops, foreign oil companies and exiled Iranian Kurdish rebels.

In Erbil, the capital of autonomous Kurdistan, journalists reported hearing loud blasts before dawn after air defences were activated in the city. In recent days, the US-led anti-jihadist coalition's air defences have shot down several explosive-laden drones over Erbil. The city is home to a major US consulate complex, and military advisers attached to the coalition are based at its airport.

Kurdistan's prime minister blamed Iran and urged it to stop what he called unjustified attacks on the region. The source said the renewed escalation in Kurdistan followed the resumption of hostilities between the United States and Iran. It also said Iran has continued to strike Iranian Kurdish opposition groups even after a ceasefire was announced in April. No group has claimed responsibility for the recent attacks.