The security forces accused a "
Hezbollah" militia of directing the rigged drone from the town of Pirde (Altun Kupri) in Kirkuk province, likely using the term to refer to an Iran-backed militia in the area.That would be the Iraqi group of that name, an Iranian catspaw.
An explosive-laden drone struck Erbil-Pirmam road on Wednesday night, causing material damage to a restaurant and several vehicles as well as injuring three civilians.The security forces also denounced rumors circulated by social media websites and Twitter accounts with thousands of followers which claim that the recent strike targeted a Mossad (Israeli intelligence) vehicle, claiming to have killed an agent.
"They may be able to feed these lies to the public opinion, but for the people of Erbil and the region who have seen the location, type of attack, and its consequences with their own eyes, this news has become ridiculous," the Kurdish forces affirmed, continuing with "those who make this claim want to cover up their failures and weaknesses."
The drone attack sparked widespread condemnation from local and foreign authorities, including the US-led coalition, who condemned the strike and expressed solidarity with the Kurdistan Region.
In the statement, the Kurdistan Region Security Council reiterated that the Region will never be a threat to other countries nearby, and called on them to respect the territorial integrity and illusory sovereignty of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.
Drone and rocket attacks in the Kurdistan Region have largely been attributed to Iran-backed militias who in recent months have launched a series of attacks against Kurdish land.