A drone attack has struck a joint special forces base in Erbil, injuring American soldiers and raising concerns that Vladimir Putin may be indirectly assisting Iran with military tactics used in the escalating Middle East conflict.
A swarm of Iranian drones targeted the base on Wednesday night, hitting the facility used by coalition special forces operating in the region. According to British military officials, two incoming drones were intercepted, but several others managed to strike the compound. Guy Foden, a commander at the United Kingdom Permanent Joint Headquarters, confirmed that British personnel stationed in Erbil had been helping defend the base during the attack.
American soldiers were injured in the strike, although British forces were not harmed. Nick Perry, who oversees global operations for the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, said the US casualties were not life-threatening.
The attack occurred near facilities that include the United States Consulate in Erbil and areas around Erbil International Airport where coalition forces maintain military installations. During a briefing in London, UK Defence Secretary John Healey suggested that Russian influence may be visible in some of Iran’s tactics, particularly in the use of drone warfare.
Speaking after receiving an operational briefing at the Northwood headquarters, Healey said analysts were examining components from drones used in the attacks to determine whether foreign technology or parts, potentially linked to Russia, were involved.
He noted that rising oil prices caused by the conflict could benefit Moscow, potentially providing additional funding for Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
British military operations across the Middle East have intensified in response to the growing threat. Royal Air Force aircraft, including Eurofighter Typhoon and F-35B Lightning II jets, have been flying defensive patrols over Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to protect allied forces and regional partners. British pilots have reportedly flown more than 300 operational hours, intercepting and destroying multiple drones threatening coalition bases in the region.
Meanwhile, tensions continue to escalate after the death of Iran’s previous supreme leader during joint strikes by the United States and Israel.
His successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, vowed retaliation in a televised statement, declaring that Iran would not refrain from avenging those killed during the attacks. He warned that Iranian forces would continue targeting foreign military bases across the region, arguing that such installations were being used to project American power and influence in the Middle East.
The conflict has also heightened concerns over security in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies pass each day.