A British military installation in Erbil, northern Iraq, was successfully targeted by Iranian drone assaults on Wednesday night, resulting in injuries to several American personnel stationed at the base. This incident represents the third successful offensive against British forces in the ongoing regional conflict that commenced nearly two weeks ago.
According to defense officials, British air-defense units successfully intercepted and destroyed two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), but multiple one-way attack drones penetrated defensive systems and struck the air base. The attack caused minor injuries to an undetermined number of US troops stationed at the facility.
Brigadier Guy Foden, assistant chief of staff for operations at Permanent Joint Headquarters, confirmed the coordinated nature of the assault: “Erbil and Baghdad were both struck a number of times last night with increasing coordination. Our personnel in Erbil shot down two UAVs coming at the camp, but a number did impact on the camp.”
This latest attack follows previous incidents targeting British interests in the region. On March 1, the same Erbil base was hit, with British personnel located within 400 meters of the impact site. The following day, a drone struck RAF Akrotiri, the UK’s air base in Cyprus, though Cypriot authorities reported no casualties and “minimal damage.”
The escalating situation has sparked political controversy in Britain. Jeremy Corbyn, British MP and leader of Your Party, criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s approach: “Keir Starmer has dragged Britain into yet another illegal war. In doing so, he has jeopardised the safety of us all. The government must end its complicity in this illegal war and rescind permission for the foreign use of British bases.”
Tensions are further complicated by the United States’ utilization of British military installations. Numerous US B-1 Lancer bombers have recently operated from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire to conduct strikes against Iranian missile sites. Three such bombers returned to the base on Thursday following a mission.
Prime Minister Starmer has thus far resisted calls from opposition politicians for direct RAF participation in strikes against Iran, while simultaneously refusing to condemn US-Israeli military actions. Diplomatic relations with the United States have been strained due to Britain’s initial refusal to permit US utilization of the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia for launching strikes against Iran.
Starmer’s Sunday phone conversation with US President Donald Trump addressed “the latest situation in the Middle East and military cooperation between the UK and US through the use of RAF bases in support of the collective self-defence of partners in the region,” according to Downing Street. The discussion occurred despite Trump’s previous criticisms of Starmer, whom he characterized as “unhelpful” and “no Winston Churchill,” while accusing the British leader of seeking to “join wars after we’ve already won.”
This remains a developing situation with potential implications for regional stability and international relations.