Recent Kurdistan Region attacks expose Baghdad’s struggle with Iran-backed militias - analysis

US-led Coalition forces intercepted three bomb-laden drones over Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan Region, on August 14. The Kurdistan Region has been a frequent target, facing over 1,000 drone and missile attacks launched by Iran and Iranian-backed proxies since February.

“

In the early hours of this morning, Friday, August 14, 2026, between 2:17 am and 2:25 am [local time], Coalition forces intercepted and shot down three bomb-laden drones in the skies over Erbil.

The Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD) in Erbil confirmed the interception occurred between 2:17 am and 2:25 am local time, with no reported casualties. This incident follows a missile and drone attack by Iran targeting Kurdish Iranian opposition groups in the Alana valley the previous week. According to Rudaw media, the Kurdistan Region has recorded more than 950 drone and missile attacks since late February, causing 32 deaths and 154 injuries.

“

Fortunately, there were no casualties.

Despite Iraq's vows to control armed groups and rein in Iran-backed militias, the continued attacks demonstrate Baghdad's struggle to fully secure the region. Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS), an Iranian-backed militia sanctioned by the US, denied responsibility for the Erbil attack. Kadhim al-Fartousi, a spokesperson for KSS, stated that "there is currently a partial agreement that no operations or attacks should be carried out."

“

According to Rudaw tracking, the Kurdistan Region has recorded more than 950 drone and missile attacks launched by Iran and allied armed groups in Iraq since the outbreak of the six-week war in late February, killing 32 people and wounding 154 others as of early August.

These Iranian-backed groups, including KSS and Kataib Hezbollah, are part of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces, operating as both illegal militias and semi-official government forces. Their continued actions underscore the complex security challenges in Iraq and the ongoing tension between state control and the influence of Iran-backed militias.

“

The attack “was not carried out by our groups…there is currently a partial agreement that no operations or attacks should be carried out, and that responding to Saudi Arabia’s attacks should also be delayed.”