UK troops among those targeted in drone strike on Iraqi base, says defense chief

LONDON

British forces were also among those targeted in a drone strike at the coalition base in the Iraqi city of Erbil, but none of them were injured, said the UK defense secretary.

John Healey said from the point when Iran began "hitting back indiscriminately" at countries across the Middle East, there had been a British team involved in Iraq.

"We've had a team at the base in Erbil that's been pulling down drones, protecting themselves but also protecting the base and other service people that they serve with there," he said.

Healey said during his visit to the UK's military headquarters in Northwood, northwest London, he received a briefing on the latest situation in the Middle East.

He also said that Iranian drone attacks have the hallmark of the way Russia is attacking Ukraine, adding: "No one will be surprised to believe that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's hidden hand is behind some of the Iranian tactics."

Brig. Guy Foden said the base and another site in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, were struck "a number of times" on Wednesday night, and British personnel are currently in Erbil helping defend that base, the BBC reported.

The Western base in Erbil is controlled by the US but often houses other forces, including UK soldiers.

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that one soldier died and several others were injured in the drone attack on the base, where some US soldiers were also wounded.

Erbil is considered an important hub in Iraq and hosts vital facilities as well as sites used by foreign missions and international forces.

The attacks come amid rising security tensions in the region, with an increase in missile and drone strikes targeting military and strategic sites across several Middle Eastern countries.