New explosions heard in Iraq's Erbil: AFP

New explosions were heard Sunday evening in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's northern Kurdistan region which hosts US bases.

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A plume of smoke rises near Erbil International Airport in Erbil on March 1, 2026. Loud explosions were heard early on March 1 near Erbil airport, which hosts US-led coalition troops in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, an AFP journalist said. Shvan HARKI / AFP

2026-03-01 22:45:20

New explosions were heard Sunday evening in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's northern Kurdistan region which hosts US bases.

Loud bangs shook the city, an AFP journalist near the US consulate said.

An AFP photographer near Erbil airport, where US-led coalition troops are deployed, said air defences were intercepting attacks, but it is not yet clear whether they involve missiles or drones.

On Sunday morning, Iran, which has been targeting the Gulf states and Israel with a barrage of missiles, said it also hit US bases in Iraq's Kurdistan.

US defence systems later intercepted drones over Erbil, where a small Iran-backed Iraqi group has also claimed drone attacks.

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