Jordan announces downing of a drone; attacks target Iraqi Kurdistan

The Jordanian military announced the downing of a drone that breached Jordanian airspace, while intense attacks by unmanned aerial vehicles targeted several areas in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

A spokesperson for the Jordanian Armed Forces – Arab Army, stated that the Royal Jordanian Air Force, as part of its surveillance and monitoring system, engaged a drone that breached Jordanian airspace early yesterday, shooting it down in the eastern desert within the kingdom’s territory, in accordance with established rules of engagement.

He affirmed that the Jordanian Armed Forces continue to fulfill their duty to protect the kingdom’s borders and safeguard its security and sovereignty, and that they will not hesitate to deal with any threat to the nation’s security or the safety of its citizens.

Egypt strongly condemned the attacks targeting Jordan, describing them as a violation of its sovereignty and a serious escalation that threatens its security and stability, further heightening tensions in the region.

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, expressed its country’s full solidarity with Jordan and its complete support for all measures taken to preserve its security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. It reiterated its firm rejection of any attacks undermining the sovereignty of states or threatening their security, calling for an “immediate” halt to all escalatory actions to help preserve regional peace and stability.

Meanwhile, areas in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq returned to the forefront of security tensions following a series of intense drone attacks on multiple sites, according to Al Jazeera. The attacks included attempts to strike the US Consulate and the international coalition base at Erbil Airport, which were repelled by air defenses, as well as sites belonging to Iranian Kurdish opposition parties, such as the Iranian Kurdistan Democratic Party and Komala Party, in northern Erbil and Kifihan. The attacks caused widespread material damage but no reported casualties.

Erbil confirmed that some of these attacks originated from within Iraqi territory, specifically Ninawa Province, and renewed its call for the federal government in Baghdad and the international community to intervene urgently to assume responsibility and stop repeated security violations.

On the diplomatic front, Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar discussed a number of issues of mutual interest with two members of the US House of Representatives yesterday, including regional and international developments and bilateral relations.

The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release that Dar met with US Representatives Ryan Zinke (Montana) and Michael Baumgartner (Washington), highlighting the “positive momentum” in Pakistan-US relations. The statement added that both sides discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation in trade, investment, information technology, energy, and other areas of shared interest. Both parties emphasized the importance of continuing parliamentary dialogue to “consolidate mutual trust and support the longstanding partnership” between Pakistan and the United States.

The statement noted that the two members of Congress praised the “valuable contributions” of the active Pakistani community to the US economy and society, describing them as a “vital bridge” between Pakistan and the United States. They also commended Pakistan’s “constructive role” in promoting regional peace and stability.

In a related development, Ishaq Dar, speaking at an interactive session held at the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, attended by the two members of Congress and a delegation of 33 US business leaders, reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing bilateral relations through continued parliamentary engagement, expanding economic cooperation, and strengthening people-to-people ties. Dar stressed the “immense potential” to boost trade, investment, innovation, and cooperation in technology, energy, agriculture, manufacturing, mining, minerals, and other sectors of mutual interest.

It is worth noting that Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir discussed regional security and defense cooperation between Islamabad and Washington, as well as ways to enhance economic cooperation and prosperity between the two capitals, with Zinke and Baumgartner the day before yesterday.