Iraq shoots down unidentified drone over Kirkuk, say police

Iraqi police forces use unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to increase security measures in Kirkuk, Iraq on January 26, 2023 [Ali Makram Ghareeb/Anadolu Agency]

Iraq’s air defences shot down an unmanned drone on Thursday in the northern city of Kirkuk, two police sources told Reuters, triggering an investigation into the identity of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

One Iraqi colonel spoke on condition of anonymity and said that an initial investigation of the debris showed that it was a Turkish military armed UAV.

The drone fell in the centre of Kirkuk, igniting a fire near some houses, explained police sources. No casualties were reported, but police added that the blaze had been brought under control by firefighters.

There was no immediate response from the Turkish authorities to a request from the agency for a comment.

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