Three drones hit near Iraqi city of Arbil on Saturday. The city has a US consulate. As per a Iraqi Kurdish official, the drones were laden with explosives.

The attack came just before Hashed al-Shabbi, a pro-Iranian paramilitary alliance, held a military parade near Baghdad. The paramilitary alliance is opposed to US presence in Iraq.

The drone attack took place overnight. Anti-terrorist unit in Kurdistan said, two drones struck a house and caused damage. The payload on the third drone didn't explode.

The US consulate condemned the assault in a tweet, saying "this attack represents a clear violation of Iraqi sovereignty".

US interests in Iraq have come under repeated attacks in recent months but the use of drones is a relatively new tactic.

The United States consistently blames Iran-linked Iraqi factions for rocket and other attacks against Iraqi installations housing its personnel.

Since the start of the year there have been 43 attacks against US interests in Iraq, where 2,500 American troops are deployed as part of an international coalition to fight the jihadist Islamic State group.

The vast majority have been bombs against logistics convoys, while 14 were rocket attacks, some of them claimed by pro-Iran factions that aim to pressure Washington into withdrawing all their troops.

In April, a drone packed with explosives hit the coalition's Iraq headquarters in the military part of the airport in Arbil, the Iraqi Kurdish regional capital.

The tactic poses a headache for the coalition, as drones can evade air defences.

In May a drone packed with explosives hit the Ain Al-Asad air base housing US troops.

On June 9 three explosives-laden drones targeted Baghdad airport, where US soldiers are also deployed. One was intercepted by the Iraqi army.

(With agency inputs)

Three drones hit near Iraqi city of Arbil on Saturday. The city has a US consulate. As per a Iraqi Kurdish official, the drones were laden with explosives. The attack came just before Hashed al-Shabbi, a pro-Iranian paramilitary alliance, held a military parade near Baghdad.

Three drones hit near Iraqi city of Arbil on Saturday. The city has a US consulate. As per a Iraqi Kurdish official, the drones were laden with explosives. The attack came just before Hashed al-Shabbi, a pro-Iranian paramilitary alliance, held a military parade near Baghdad. The paramilitary alliance is opposed to US presence in Iraq. The drone attack took place overnight. Anti-terrorist unit in Kurdistan said, two drones struck a house and caused damage. The payload on the third drone didn't explode. The US consulate condemned the assault in a tweet, saying "this attack represents a clear violation of Iraqi sovereignty". US interests in Iraq have come under repeated attacks in recent months but the use of drones is a relatively new tactic. The United States consistently blames Iran-linked Iraqi factions for rocket and other attacks against Iraqi installations housing its personnel. Since the start of the year there have been 43 attacks against US interests in Iraq, where 2,500 American troops are deployed as part of an international coalition to fight the jihadist Islamic State group. The vast majority have been bombs against logistics convoys, while 14 were rocket attacks, some of them claimed by pro-Iran factions that aim to pressure Washington into withdrawing all their troops. In April, a drone packed with explosives hit the coalition's Iraq headquarters in the military part of the airport in Arbil, the Iraqi Kurdish regional capital. The tactic poses a headache for the coalition, as drones can evade air defences. In May a drone packed with explosives hit the Ain Al-Asad air base housing US troops. On June 9 three explosives-laden drones targeted Baghdad airport, where US soldiers are also deployed. One was intercepted by the Iraqi army. (With agency inputs)

Explosives-laden drones strike near Iraq's Arbil

Jihadists on Wednesday killed a policeman before blowing up two oil wells in Kirkuk, a northern province claimed by both&nbsp;Iraq's federal government and the Kurds, officials said.&nbsp;

A security official told AFP that "Islamic State group assailants" killed a policeman and "wounded two others".

The attackers then "blew up wells 177 and 183 at the Bay Hassan field," the oil ministry said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraqi-army-fires-rockets-at-base-hosting-americans-amid-delegation-visit-382772">Iraqi army fires rockets at base hosting Americans amid delegation visit</a>

The first fire was "brought under control in record time", but "firemen are still active at the second" well several hours after the attack, the ministry added.

Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga forces took control of Kirkuk, home to key oilfields including Bay Hassan, in June 2014 after federal forces withdrew in the face of an IS offensive.

In late 2017, Baghdad officially claimed victory against IS, after a grinding military campaign supported by a US-led coalition.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-bans-terror-prank-television-shows-382730">Iraq bans terror prank television shows</a>&nbsp;

But the Kurds,&nbsp;who run an autonomous government in Arbil, and the federal government dispute ownership of Kirkuk's lucrative oilfields.&nbsp;

IS maintain an ability to perpetrate hit-and-run attacks, operating mainly at night and often exploiting the discord between Baghdad and Arbil. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Iraq&nbsp;is the second-biggest producer in the OPEC cartel of oil-producing nations.

Last month the oil ministry said it exported 88.4 million barrels for $5.5 billion.

Jihadists on Wednesday killed a policeman before blowing up two oil wells in Kirkuk, a northern province claimed by both Iraq's federal government and the Kurds, officials said.

Jihadists on Wednesday killed a policeman before blowing up two oil wells in Kirkuk, a northern province claimed by both Iraq's federal government and the Kurds, officials said. A security official told AFP that "Islamic State group assailants" killed a policeman and "wounded two others". The attackers then "blew up wells 177 and 183 at the Bay Hassan field," the oil ministry said in a statement. Also read | Iraqi army fires rockets at base hosting Americans amid delegation visit The first fire was "brought under control in record time", but "firemen are still active at the second" well several hours after the attack, the ministry added. Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga forces took control of Kirkuk, home to key oilfields including Bay Hassan, in June 2014 after federal forces withdrew in the face of an IS offensive. In late 2017, Baghdad officially claimed victory against IS, after a grinding military campaign supported by a US-led coalition. Also read | Iraq bans terror prank television shows But the Kurds, who run an autonomous government in Arbil, and the federal government dispute ownership of Kirkuk's lucrative oilfields. IS maintain an ability to perpetrate hit-and-run attacks, operating mainly at night and often exploiting the discord between Baghdad and Arbil. Iraq is the second-biggest producer in the OPEC cartel of oil-producing nations. Last month the oil ministry said it exported 88.4 million barrels for $5.5 billion.

IS 'blows up' Iraq oil wells, kills policeman: Officials

Iraq's Ain al-Asad airbase that hosts the United States, coalition and Iraqi forces was hit with multiple rockets, Reuters reported quoting two security sources.

The attack comes just days after rockets targeted the high-security zone in the Iraqi capital which hosts the US embassy.&nbsp;Newswire AFP reported that 10 rockets had hit the Iraq airbase hosting US troops.

Earlier, a dozen rockets targeted a military complex at the Arbil airport in northern Iraq which hosts foreign troops from the&nbsp;US-led coalition.

Two people were killed in the Arbil airport attack, including one foreign contractor based at the airport.&nbsp;

Another wave of rockets had hit the Al-Balad airbase in north Baghdad where Iraq keeps most of its F-16 fighters purchased from the US in recent years.

Iraq's Ain al-Asad airbase that hosts the United States, coalition and Iraqi forces was hit with multiple rockets, Reuters reported quoting two security sources.

Iraq's Ain al-Asad airbase that hosts the United States, coalition and Iraqi forces was hit with multiple rockets, Reuters reported quoting two security sources. The attack comes just days after rockets targeted the high-security zone in the Iraqi capital which hosts the US embassy. Newswire AFP reported that 10 rockets had hit the Iraq airbase hosting US troops. Earlier, a dozen rockets targeted a military complex at the Arbil airport in northern Iraq which hosts foreign troops from the US-led coalition. Two people were killed in the Arbil airport attack, including one foreign contractor based at the airport. Another wave of rockets had hit the Al-Balad airbase in north Baghdad where Iraq keeps most of its F-16 fighters purchased from the US in recent years.

Multiple rockets fired at Iraq airbase that hosts US, coalition forces: Report

President Biden directed the US military to carry out airstrikes on facilities in eastern Syria in retaliation against rocket attacks on US troop locations in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-will-hold-iran-responsible-says-us-after-rockets-target-us-embassy-in-iraqs-green-zone-365542">Iraq</a>.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/rockets-strike-iraqs-green-zone-volley-of-rockets-target-us-embassy-in-iraq-365671/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"At President Biden's direction, US military forces earlier this evening conducted airstrikes against infrastructure utilized by Iranian-backed militant groups in eastern Syria," Pentagon said.

It is the first military attack carried out by the Biden administration.&nbsp;According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 17 pro-Iran fighters were killed in the airstrikes in Syria.

According to the Pentagon, the airstrikes were pointed towards &nbsp;Iran-backed Kataeb Hezbollah and Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada at the border control point.

"These strikes were authorized in response to recent attacks against American and Coalition personnel in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rockets-target-us-embassy-in-iraqi-capital-military-365520">Iraq</a>, and to ongoing threats to those personnel," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.

The airstrikes come after rocket attacks on US and coalition facilities in Iraq on a military complex in the Kurdish region's capital Arbil on February 15 in which a civilian and a foreign contractor working with coalition forces were killed.

Pentagon said the strikes were "proportionate" and "conducted together with diplomatic measures".

"The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and Coalition personnel," the Pentagon added.

President Biden directed the US military to carry out airstrikes on facilities in eastern Syria in retaliation against rocket attacks on US troop locations in Iraq.

President Biden directed the US military to carry out airstrikes on facilities in eastern Syria in retaliation against rocket attacks on US troop locations in Iraq. Watch: "At President Biden's direction, US military forces earlier this evening conducted airstrikes against infrastructure utilized by Iranian-backed militant groups in eastern Syria," Pentagon said. It is the first military attack carried out by the Biden administration. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 17 pro-Iran fighters were killed in the airstrikes in Syria. According to the Pentagon, the airstrikes were pointed towards Iran-backed Kataeb Hezbollah and Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada at the border control point. "These strikes were authorized in response to recent attacks against American and Coalition personnel in Iraq, and to ongoing threats to those personnel," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said. The airstrikes come after rocket attacks on US and coalition facilities in Iraq on a military complex in the Kurdish region's capital Arbil on February 15 in which a civilian and a foreign contractor working with coalition forces were killed. Pentagon said the strikes were "proportionate" and "conducted together with diplomatic measures". "The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and Coalition personnel," the Pentagon added.

US carries out airstrikes against Iran-backed militia in eastern Syria

Syria has criticised the US air raid against positions of Iran-backed fighters in east Syria, which killed one and wounded four others, describing it as a “bad sign” from the administration of new US President Joe Biden.

Syria "strongly condemns the cowardly American aggression" on Deir Ezzor province, its foreign ministry said in a statement carried by the official SANA news agency.

"It is a bad sign regarding the policies of the new US administration which should adhere to international" norms.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-carries-out-airstrikes-against-iran-backed-militia-in-eastern-syria-366309">Also read: US carries out airstrikes against Iran-backed militia in eastern Syria</a> 
 
President Biden directed the US military to carry out airstrikes on facilities in eastern Syria in retaliation against rocket attacks on US troop locations in Iraq.

"At President Biden's direction, US military forces earlier this evening conducted airstrikes against infrastructure utilized by Iranian-backed militant groups in eastern Syria," Pentagon said.

It is the first military attack carried out by the Biden administration. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 17 pro-Iran fighters were killed in the airstrikes in Syria.

According to the Pentagon, the airstrikes were pointed towards Iran-backed Kataeb Hezbollah and Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada at the border control point.

Meanwhile, The Kremlin said that it was closely monitoring the situation in Syria following U.S. air strikes there and that it was in constant contact with the Syrian authorities.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call that he could not say whether the United States had notified Russia of its plans in advance, adding that operational contacts were made through the military.

(With inputs from agencies)

Syria has criticised the US air raid against positions of Iran-backed fighters in east Syria, which killed one and wounded four others, describing it as a “bad sign” from the administration of new US President Joe Biden.

Syria has criticised the US air raid against positions of Iran-backed fighters in east Syria, which killed one and wounded four others, describing it as a “bad sign” from the administration of new US President Joe Biden. Syria "strongly condemns the cowardly American aggression" on Deir Ezzor province, its foreign ministry said in a statement carried by the official SANA news agency. "It is a bad sign regarding the policies of the new US administration which should adhere to international" norms. Also read: US carries out airstrikes against Iran-backed militia in eastern Syria President Biden directed the US military to carry out airstrikes on facilities in eastern Syria in retaliation against rocket attacks on US troop locations in Iraq. "At President Biden's direction, US military forces earlier this evening conducted airstrikes against infrastructure utilized by Iranian-backed militant groups in eastern Syria," Pentagon said. It is the first military attack carried out by the Biden administration. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 17 pro-Iran fighters were killed in the airstrikes in Syria. According to the Pentagon, the airstrikes were pointed towards Iran-backed Kataeb Hezbollah and Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada at the border control point. Meanwhile, The Kremlin said that it was closely monitoring the situation in Syria following U.S. air strikes there and that it was in constant contact with the Syrian authorities. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call that he could not say whether the United States had notified Russia of its plans in advance, adding that operational contacts were made through the military. (With inputs from agencies)

Syria denounces US strike as 'bad sign' from Biden administration

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Monday for an investigation into a rocket attack on an airbase in Iraq's Kurdistan region and promised to "hold accountable those responsible."

A volley of rockets targeting the base late Monday killed a foreign civilian contractor and wounded five others and a US soldier, the US-led coalition said.

"We are outraged by today's rocket attack in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region," Blinken said in a statement.

"I have reached out to Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani to discuss the incident and to pledge our support for all efforts to investigate and hold accountable those responsible."

The attack was the first time Western military or diplomatic installations have been targeted in Iraq in nearly two months, after a string of such incidents.

Under former US President Donald Trump, Washington had vowed that the killing of an American national in such a rocket attack would prompt retaliation against Iran, whom US military officials accuse of backing the Iraqi militia groups behind the strikes.&nbsp;

But Blinken's call for an investigation marks a shift away from that policy under President Joe Biden's new administration.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Monday for an investigation into a rocket attack on an airbase in Iraq's Kurdistan region and promised to "hold accountable those responsible.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Monday for an investigation into a rocket attack on an airbase in Iraq's Kurdistan region and promised to "hold accountable those responsible." A volley of rockets targeting the base late Monday killed a foreign civilian contractor and wounded five others and a US soldier, the US-led coalition said. "We are outraged by today's rocket attack in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region," Blinken said in a statement. "I have reached out to Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani to discuss the incident and to pledge our support for all efforts to investigate and hold accountable those responsible." The attack was the first time Western military or diplomatic installations have been targeted in Iraq in nearly two months, after a string of such incidents. Under former US President Donald Trump, Washington had vowed that the killing of an American national in such a rocket attack would prompt retaliation against Iran, whom US military officials accuse of backing the Iraqi militia groups behind the strikes. But Blinken's call for an investigation marks a shift away from that policy under President Joe Biden's new administration.

US vows to 'hold accountable those responsible' for Arbil attack

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