A drone targeted the Erbil Arjaan by Rotana hotel in Iraq’s Kurdistan region on Friday, security sources said.
Two additional drones targeted a US military base near Erbil's airport, and another drone attack targeted the Erbil headquarters of an Iranian Kurdish opposition group.
Also on Friday, fire broke out in offices and warehouses belonging to US firms Halliburton and KBR after a drone attack in Iraq's Basra targeted a compound housing employees of foreign oil companies.
The US embassy in Baghdad said earlier on Friday that Iran-aligned militia groups may seek to target hotels frequented by foreigners in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, according to a post on X.
“US citizens are strongly encouraged to depart as soon as they are safely able to do so," the embassy said, "and reconsider lodging options if choosing not to depart."
Kurdistan region fears being dragged into Iran war
Leaders in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region say they are being drawn into the widening conflict after recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran, with Iranian drones, missiles, and Iranian‑backed militias carrying out attacks in and around Erbil. Iranian drones have struck targets including bases of Kurdish Iranian opposition groups and residential areas, and have repeatedly targeted Erbil International Airport, according to local officials.
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani reiterated that the region does not intend to engage in the conflict and warned that the escalation threatens local security and lives. Kurdish officials have rejected claims they are coordinating offensives into Iran, saying they seek to preserve peace and stability.
The Iran conflict has disrupted energy production, strained the power grid, and raised fears among Kurds of being caught in a broader regional confrontation.