Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) attack near U.S. consulate in Erbil, northern Iraq, triggering a series of explosions

In a shocking turn of events, the northern Iraqi city of Erbil was hit by a series of drone attacks on a late Thursday, July 3rd, 2025. The incidents, which included an attack near the U.S. Consulate, have raised concerns of escalating proxy conflict in the region.

The article, published by Al Bawaba, was penned by Dr. Mansour Al-Maswari, a Yemeni academician and Postdoctoral Fellow at Columbia University-Global Center, Amman. Dr. Al-Maswari, who has over 17 years of experience in university-level teaching, research, research reviewing, bilingual translation, and copy-writing, holds a Ph.D. in English "Comparative Literature" and two MA degrees, one in political science and the other in English.

Security sources confirmed that two drones struck separate locations in Erbil. One near the Ghazna area behind Erbil International Airport, and another near the Sipiran district. Video footage circulating online shows smoke rising from the targeted areas, with first responders rushing to secure the scenes.

The groups responsible for the attacks claimed they were in retaliation for an earlier drone and missile attack on radar and military infrastructure in Iraq, allegedly carried out by Israel-linked operatives from within Iraqi territory.

The renewed violence has brought the US military presence in Iraq back into the spotlight. U.S. Navy Admiral Brad Cooper, the Commander of the US Central Command, recently stated that American troops are "the cornerstone of regional partnerships" and are ready to "defend US interests and partners" in the entire region. He took command in August 2025, succeeding General Michael Erik Kurilla.

The US embassy building in Baghdad's Green Zone had armoured vehicles deployed outside on June 12, 2025, due to security concerns, suggesting that the tensions in the region are not isolated incidents.

As the situation continues to unfold, it is crucial to maintain a clear and objective understanding of the events, ensuring that the facts are presented accurately and without bias. Dr. Al-Maswari's article provides a valuable contribution to this endeavour, offering a well-researched and balanced account of the drone attacks in Erbil, Iraq.