Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan Region, endured a harrowing night of aerial assaults on Saturday as Iranian missiles rained down on the city, triggering widespread power outages and forcing authorities to shutter educational institutions across the region. The unprecedented intensity of the attacks marked a dangerous escalation in the ongoing shadow war between Iran, the United States, and Israel, with the Kurdish city finding itself caught in the crossfire.
The most dramatic moments came in rapid succession as multiple waves of Iranian projectiles streaked across the sky, their thunderous explosions echoing through the city streets. Residents described the experience as terrifying, with mere seconds separating each violent blast that shook buildings and shattered the relative calm of the evening. While Erbil has grown accustomed to periodic missile strikes from Iran and its allied militias—typically in retaliation for actions by Israel or the United States—the scale and ferocity of Saturday's assault were described by locals as the most severe in recent memory.
According to security sources within the Kurdistan Region, including senior Peshmerga officers, the primary targets appeared to be strategic installations associated with American presence. Erbil International Airport, which houses a US military base, and the US consulate in the city center bore the brunt of the offensive. However, the attacks largely failed to reach their intended destinations thanks to the sophisticated American missile defense network deployed in the region.
Security officials confirmed to reporters that the US missile defense system successfully intercepted and destroyed more than seven separate volleys of incoming missiles and drones throughout Saturday morning and afternoon. The defensive umbrella proved remarkably effective, neutralizing the majority of threats before they could impact their targets. Only two projectiles managed to penetrate the protective shield—one striking near the perimeter of Erbil International Airport and the other exploding in the vicinity of the US consulate. Fortunately, both impacts resulted in neither casualties nor significant material damage, a testament to both the precision of the defense system and perhaps the inaccuracy of some incoming fire.
The psychological toll on Erbil's population, however, was substantial. The constant wail of sirens, punctuated by the deafening roar of interceptors and explosions, created an atmosphere of sustained anxiety throughout the day and into the night. Many residents sought shelter in basements and interior rooms, while others fled to areas they perceived as safer, away from likely target zones.
As the missile threat persisted, regional authorities took the extraordinary step of shutting down critical infrastructure to prevent potential catastrophe. The Kormor gas field, located south of Sulaymaniyah province and operated by UAE-based Dana Gas, ceased operations as a precautionary measure. This single decision triggered a cascade of consequences that plunged much of the Kurdistan Region into literal darkness.
In a joint statement released Saturday evening, the Kurdistan Regional Government's Ministries of Natural Resources and Electricity explained that the gas field had halted supplies to regional power generation facilities due to the ongoing conflict. The shutdown resulted in an immediate reduction of approximately 3,000 megawatts of electricity production capacity—an enormous deficit that the region's grid could not compensate for. Within hours, Erbil and most other cities across the Kurdistan Region experienced complete blackouts as power stations exhausted their fuel supplies.
Government officials emphasized that the decision to suspend gas deliveries was driven by concerns for worker safety amid credible fears that energy infrastructure could become a target in the widening conflict. "Protecting human lives takes precedence over maintaining normal operations," the statement read, acknowledging the severe disruption this would cause to millions of civilians. The Ministry of Electricity announced it would attempt to activate alternative power sources, though officials privately admitted that these backup systems would be insufficient to restore full service, leaving residents to face an indefinite period of rolling outages or total darkness.
The ripple effects of the security crisis extended beyond electricity into the education sector. In another joint announcement, the Ministries of Education and Higher Education declared an immediate suspension of all academic activities across the Kurdistan Region. The closure affects every public and private school, university, and technical institute from Sunday, March 1 through March 4, with the possibility of extension depending on the security situation.
The statement cited "the public interest and safeguarding the safety of teaching staff and students" as the primary justification, noting that the unpredictable nature of the aerial campaign made it impossible to guarantee secure learning environments. For thousands of students preparing for examinations and completing academic terms, the sudden closure represents yet another disruption in a region already grappling with political instability and economic hardship. Parents expressed mixed reactions—relief that their children would be safe from potential attacks, but concern about the impact on their education and the logistical challenges of arranging childcare during the workweek.
The broader context of these attacks reveals a dangerous pattern of escalation. Iran has increasingly used Iraqi territory, particularly the Kurdistan Region, as a proxy battlefield to signal its displeasure with US and Israeli actions. The Kurdish authorities find themselves in a precarious position—geographically situated between hostile actors while attempting to maintain autonomy and economic stability. Each missile volley not only threatens lives but also undermines investor confidence, disrupts commerce, and strains the region's already fragile infrastructure.
International observers note that the targeting of Erbil serves multiple purposes for Tehran. It demonstrates Iran's ability to project power beyond its borders, sends a clear warning to Washington about the costs of its regional presence, and punishes the Kurdistan Regional Government for its close ties with the United States—all while avoiding direct confrontation with American forces that might trigger a larger war. The strategy, however, carries significant risks, including potential miscalculation and the possibility of civilian casualties that could galvanize international condemnation.
As night fell on Erbil, the city remained shrouded in darkness both literal and metaphorical. The silence between missile barrages was broken only by the hum of generators in wealthy neighborhoods and the anxious conversations of families huddled in candlelit rooms. The US defense systems remained on high alert, their operators scanning the skies for the next volley, while regional officials scrambled to manage the cascading consequences of their precautionary shutdowns.
The coming days will test the resilience of Erbil's residents and the strategic patience of all parties involved. For now, the city waits in the dark—its future as uncertain as its power supply, its people caught between the missiles of their adversaries and the difficult choices of their protectors.