Iraq speaker Halbusi holds solidarity call with Barzani after Erbil drone attack

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbusi held a phone call with Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani following a drone attack on the prime minister's office and a Parastin intelligence center in Erbil. Halbusi condemned the strike and expressed solidarity with the Kurdistan Regional Government, according to a statement from his office. During the call, Halbusi said he supported any steps to safeguard Iraq's security and the stability of the Kurdistan Region, and rejected attacks targeting citizens and institutions. Barzani thanked the speaker for his stance, saying political support was important for reinforcing stability and addressing security challenges. The Kurdistan Regional Government's Erbil office was targeted by a drone on August 17. The Kurdistan Region's Counter-Terrorism Directorate said the vehicle used in the attack was Iranian-made. Barzani has called for strengthening the region's air defense capacity, noting that Kurdistan has faced repeated strikes over the years using ballistic missiles and drones, which he said have been carried out by Iran-linked elements or armed groups inside Iraq.