Drone Attacks Target Iraq’s Oil Sites and Airports Amidst Regional Tensions
Baghdad and Erbil, Iraq, experienced a surge in drone attacks on March 6, 2026, targeting airports and oil facilities. The attacks come amidst escalating regional tensions and the ongoing war involving Iran, raising concerns about Iraq’s stability as a potential proxy battleground.
Attacks in Baghdad and Erbil
Drones struck Baghdad International Airport, which houses a military base and a U.S. Diplomatic facility, late on March 6. Security officials reported a series of attacks involving drones and missiles, with some drones being shot down. Earlier in the day, rockets targeted the airport from the Abu Ghraib area, and security forces recovered a vehicle containing additional rockets Straits Times.
In the southern province of Basra, an oil facility housing foreign energy companies was attacked twice. While some drones were intercepted, at least one struck the Burjesia oil complex, along with another oil field and Basra’s airport Straits Times.
Simultaneously, Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, also came under attack. U.S.-led troops shot down several drones over Erbil after a warning of potential attacks on hotels Straits Times. Most drones targeting Erbil were intercepted before reaching their targets, according to Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw Kurdistan24.
Regional Context and Concerns
These attacks are occurring against the backdrop of a wider conflict involving Iran. Lawk Ghafuri, an Iraqi political analyst, believes the war with Iran will have “severe consequences” for all of Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region Forbes.
Iraq has stated its desire to avoid being drawn into the broader Middle East conflict, but has already been impacted by strikes targeting Iran-backed groups within its borders. These groups have vowed not to remain neutral and have claimed responsibility for attacks on U.S. Bases in Iraq and the region Straits Times.
Latest strikes have also targeted Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in the northern Kurdistan region, with reports suggesting militants may attempt to cross into Iran Straits Times.
Baghdad-Erbil Tensions
Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw has blamed the Iraqi federal government for the security breach, stating that most of the drones targeting Erbil are launched from areas under the control of federal security forces Kurdistan24. He urged the Iraqi government to take responsibility and end the ongoing violations threatening the safety of the Kurdistan Region.
Despite ongoing dialogue between Baghdad and Erbil, disputes over oil resources and autonomy remain unresolved Shafaq. A recent oil agreement aims to bring transparency and resolve the long-running feud over independent Kurdish oil sales, but challenges persist.