BREAKING NEWS: Erbil Airport in Iraq ‘is under attack with at least 20 rockets hitting the base hosting US troops’
Erbil Airport in Iraqi Kurdistan is allegedly under ‘a massive rocket attack’ while hosting US troops, it has been reported.
Militia affiliated channels say at least 20 rockets have hit the base, according to BBC correspondent Nafiseh Kohnavard.
Kohnavard reported that ‘at least 3 drones and 20 rockets have been used in tonight’s attack on both Erbil Airport & US consulate in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan.’
Erbil International Airport is pictured in February after flights restarted, following another rocket attack outside the international airport
A video allegedly released by Kurdistan Counter Terrorism Forces and posted to Twitter by the account Aurora Intel appears to show Erbil Airport after the attack.
The video shows flames billowing into the night sky while other videos posted posted to social media purport to show the airport going dark after the alleged rocket attack.
In another video posted to Twitter, independent journalist Raveen Aujmaya tweeted that the airport has already reopened ‘after a brief closure following rocket attack.’
Kurdistan news outlet Rudaw tweeted: ‘The counterterrorism directorate said the airport was attacked by a drone around 10:30pm, with a fire breaking out at the site.’
No casualties have been reported, according to the news outlet.
Iraqi satellite television channel Dijlah reported that the airport’s director said air traffic wasn’t affected by the attack, according to the Twitter account @Archer83Able.
A U.S. Department of Defense spokesperson told Politico reporter Lara Seligman that the agency was ‘aware’ of reports of the attack.
‘We are aware of reporting of a UAS incident in the vicinity of Erbil, Iraq. At this time, initial reports indicate no structural damage, injuries or casualties,’ the spokesperson said.
The attack comes a day after three drones allegedly targeted the United States’ Union III site near the US embassy in Baghdad, Jerusalem Post reported.