A drone brought down near Baghdad’s Green Zone prompted an Iraqi investigation Tuesday, while conflicting reports on the number of aircraft left the scope of the incident unsettled.
A loud bang was heard in the capital. 964 Media reported that Saad Maan, head of Iraq’s Security Media Cell, told the Iraqi News Agency the sound came as security forces dealt with a drone near the Green Zone. In a separate interview with The New Region, Maan said an inquiry had started to determine more about the drone and where it came from.
The National reported that at least two drones were intercepted, citing a second security official. Maan’s interview with The New Region and the 964 Media account referred to one, leaving the count disputed across the reports.
The National also reported that U.S. Embassy air defenses activated after detecting two drones near the Green Zone perimeter. The outlet said no casualties or damage had been reported. The fortified district contains Iraqi government institutions and foreign diplomatic missions, including the U.S. Embassy, 964 Media and The National reported.
The National reported that the district has faced recurring drone and rocket attacks since the Iran war began Feb. 28, 2026. It said armed factions had cast earlier attacks as support for Iran or retaliation for U.S. strikes. The New Region and The National did not identify a group connected to Tuesday’s incident. Maan told The New Region the inquiry is intended to establish the drone’s details and source.
