The Ministry of Peshmerga announced on Monday that its command headquarters in the Kurdistan Region was targeted by booby-trapped drone strikes, accusing what it described as “outlawed terrorist groups” of being behind the assault. Simultaneously, a similar attack targeting the US Consulate in Erbil was thwarted without any reported losses.
In an official statement, the Ministry detailed that the attack occurred on the night of April 5, 2026, involving four explosive-laden drones. This incident is part of a series of attacks that have struck various areas of the region in recent days. The Ministry noted that these attacks are being “carried out in full view of the Iraqi security forces” and have resulted in both human casualties and significant material damage.
The Ministry criticized the “lack of a serious stance or practical steps by the federal government, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, or the Joint Operations Command to deter these attacks and put an end to them.” It emphasized that the Peshmerga forces “represent a part of Iraq’s defense and security system and have served as a safety valve for the protection of the region and the country,” asserting that “stopping these aggressions and holding those responsible accountable has become an urgent security necessity.”
Concluding its statement, the Ministry stressed that it has exercised self-restraint over the past period, warning that it may be forced to take a “different stance” should the “silence of the federal government and the inaction of its institutions” continue.
Attacks on the US Consulate and Sulaymaniyah
In a related development, a security source reported on Monday the interception of a drone attack targeting the US Consulate building in Erbil. The source told Shafaq News Agency that “an attack by at least four drones targeted the US Consulate building in Erbil before they were intercepted in the sky,” confirming that the attack did not result in any material or human casualties.
In Sulaymaniyah, eyewitnesses reported that the headquarters of the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan was subjected to two consecutive drone strikes within minutes in the city center. Witnesses explained that a second drone targeted the party’s relations building minutes after the first strike. While no human injuries were reported, the attacks caused heavy material damage to the building.
Regional Leadership Response
For his part, the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Masrour Barzani, condemned the attacks on Sunday (April 5, 2026), describing the targeting of the US Consulate and civilian areas in Erbil as “heinous” and “unacceptable.”
I strongly condemn the heinous attacks by terrorist militias targeting the U.S. Consulate General and civilian areas in Erbil. These deliberate acts of aggression pose a grave threat to the security and stability of the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the wider region. This is…
— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) April 5, 2026
In a post on the “X” platform, Barzani stated:
“I strongly condemn the heinous attacks by terrorist militias targeting the U.S. Consulate General and civilian areas in Erbil. These deliberate acts of aggression pose a grave threat to the security and stability of the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the wider region. This is unacceptable.”
He added:
“I once again call unequivocally upon the federal government in Baghdad to take immediate, decisive, and tangible actions against these outlaw armed groups and militias. It is incumbent upon the federal government to use all means to thwart these terrorist attacks and bring those responsible to justice.”
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