- Footage circulating early Thursday showed the wreckage of a drone in Baghdad’s Al-Bu’aitha district
- Authorities also confirmed that all drones were shot down and no casualties were recorded
- the country preferred diplomatic solutions but argued that recent military actions by the US and Israel forced Tehran to respond
Regional tensions in the Middle East intensified as Iraqi security forces intercepted and destroyed a drone that attempted to strike a United States military installation near Baghdad’s international airport.
Local reports said the unmanned aircraft was heading toward the Victoria base late Wednesday night but was brought down before reaching its intended target, Eko Hot Blog reports.
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Footage circulating early Thursday showed the wreckage of a drone in Baghdad’s Al-Bu’aitha district, with security personnel present at the scene.
The incident occurred as hostilities linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States continued to escalate across the region after several days of fighting.
In another development on Thursday, a vessel collided with an oil tanker flying the Bahamas flag at the Iraqi port of Khor al-Zubair. According to security sources, the impact damaged the tanker and caused an oil spill.
Meanwhile, Qatar reported being targeted by multiple projectiles allegedly launched from Iran. The country’s defence ministry said 14 ballistic missiles and four drones were fired toward its territory.
Air defence systems intercepted most of the missiles, while one reportedly landed in territorial waters. Authorities also confirmed that all drones were shot down and no casualties were recorded.
Explosions were heard above the Qatari capital, Doha, prompting officials to issue an elevated emergency alert. As a precaution, residents living close to the United States Embassy in Doha were advised to evacuate temporarily.
Security concerns have also spread across the Gulf. Reports indicated that American diplomatic facilities in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates had faced drone threats during the week.
In Abu Dhabi, falling debris from intercepted drones injured six people, according to local authorities. The victims, identified as nationals of Pakistan and Nepal, sustained minor to moderate injuries after fragments landed in the ICAD II industrial district.
Elsewhere, Bahrain said its air defence units had destroyed dozens of incoming missiles and drones since the start of the escalation. Additional incidents were also reported in Oman, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, including drone interceptions and damage to energy infrastructure.
Amid the rising conflict, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for launching hundreds of drones at facilities hosting US forces across the region, including bases in northern Iraq and Kuwait.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the country preferred diplomatic solutions but argued that recent military actions by the US and Israel forced Tehran to respond. He also stressed that Iran respects the sovereignty of neighbouring states.
Despite the growing violence, regional leaders such as Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi have called for an immediate ceasefire and renewed diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation across the Middle East.
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