Eight drones shot down over Erbil hours after Iraqi PM meets Trump in Washington

ERBIL, Iraq — Eight armed drones entering Erbil's airspace were intercepted on Wednesday evening between 20:53 and 21:20 local time by Kurdish Region Counter Terrorism forces and international coalition troops, with no casualties reported. Security sources said the drones approached the area around the U.S. Consulate in the city, and multiple explosions were heard across Erbil. No group has claimed responsibility, and Iraqi authorities have not issued an official statement on the source or perpetrators of the attack. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Shidye condemned the attack and said necessary measures would be taken in coordination with Kurdish security forces. The condemnation came hours after Shidye met U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, with the talks focusing on security cooperation, bringing weapons under state control, and the future role of the international coalition, according to Iraqi officials. A spokesperson for the Sa'id al-Shuhada Brigades, Kazim Fertusi, denied that Iraqi armed groups were linked to the strike. The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad said Iran-backed drones targeted Erbil on July 15 and issued a warning to U.S. citizens of possible travel restrictions and airspace closures in Iraq.