Drones target northern Iraqi city

Drones carrying explosives targeted a city in northern Iraq on Friday where US forces are stationed.

The attack took place hours after the American military said it finished its 13th night of strikes against Iran.

The conflict has flared again over the past week, as the US pounded Iran while Tehran attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz and targeted US assets and allies in the region.

US-led forces intercepted and shot down five explosive-laden drones Friday over Irbil, according to security officials in northern Iraq. No injuries or damage were reported.

An Associated Press journalist heard at least seven blasts in the city, the capital of Iraq’s semiautonomous Kurdish region, and saw at least four plumes of black smoke rising from areas near or inside a base at the city’s airport that hosts US forces.

Flights continued as normal at the airport, the state-run Iraqi News Agency reported, citing the facility’s director. US military officials in Iraq did not respond to a request for comment.

In recent years, the US maintained about 2,500 troops in Iraq for training and to conduct operations against the Daesh group with Iraq’s military.

Many of those have withdrawn, but a small contingent of military advisers and others remains — many of whom have moved to Irbil.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard urged people in neighboring countries to stay away from bases with American troops.

The Guard said it had targeted the US base in Udairi, Kuwait, setting ablaze three ammunition and storage sheds and destroying them.

It also claimed to have struck a watchtower for the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, which it said was damaged.

US Central Command did not respond to inquiries about the claims. Bahrain said it intercepted and shot down Iranian aerial attacks on Friday, but did not say if there were any casualties or damage.