Ankara: Powerful explosions were heard in Iraq's northern city of Erbil as air defense systems intercepted three suicide drones, according to Iraqi media. Erbil-based Rudaw TV reported that loud explosions echoed across the city as air defense systems were activated, adding that three suicide drones were shot down.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), an Iranian Kurdish opposition group, stated that one of its camps near Erbil was hit by two missiles. There was no immediate information on casualties or damage.

The incident occurs amid ongoing Iranian attacks targeting Iranian Kurdish opposition groups based in northern Iraq's Kurdish region. Following the outbreak of war between Iran and the US and Israel, Tehran has launched repeated missile and drone attacks on Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. These attacks have persisted despite a memorandum of understanding signed between Washington and Tehran that aims for a ceasefire.

On July 17, Iraq's Kurdish Regional Government condemned the Iranian strikes in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, urging Tehran to immediately cease the attacks. Iran has consistently targeted camps of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, as well as the US military base and the US Consulate in Erbil.

In previous attacks, eight suicide drones were launched toward Erbil, and eight members of the Komala party, another Iranian Kurdish opposition group, were reported killed in a missile strike on one of the group's camps in Sulaymaniyah.