US-led coalition says it intercepted drone attacks over Erbil

ERBIL, Iraq — Air defense systems of the US-led international coalition intercepted explosive-laden drones over Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, on Friday morning. Local residents reported hearing at least four explosions at dawn and seeing white smoke from the drones struck by surface-to-air missiles. Officials said no casualties were recorded, though debris from the downed drones caused limited material damage at the impact sites. The interception comes amid heightened military exchanges between the United States and Tehran. The Kurdistan Region's Counter-Terrorism Directorate also announced earlier this week that similar explosive-laden drone attacks over Erbil had been foiled on Wednesday evening, with no casualties reported.