Amid Missile and Drone attacks, Media Work Becomes Increasingly Challenging in Kurdistan Region

Reports 02:02 PM - 2026-03-08

Smoke rising from one of the targeted areas in Sulaymaniyah.

The Kurdistan Region’s Department of Media, together with the Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate, has urged media outlets to report responsibly and professionally amid the recent rise in drone attacks across the Kurdistan Region.

On Sunday early hours, 15 drone attacks struck Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, where two people were martyred, including one Peshmerga and a security guard at Erbil International Airport. 

In Sulaymaniyah, six drones targeted the headquarters of the Forces 70 and areas near the UN headquarters and the Turkish consulate. Most of the drones were intercepted, and no casualties were reported. Separately, a missile attack on Zrgwezala near the Sulaymaniyah resulted in one Peshmerga martyr and another injured.

In Erbil, eight drones targeted the city, with the majority destroyed by the air defence system. One attack, however, killed a security guard at Erbil International Airport and injured three others.

Asayish Agency Respond

The Kurdistan Region Security Agency (Asayish) confirmed that four drones targeted the Forces 70 headquarters, while two additional drones struck near the UN headquarters and the Turkish consulate in Sulaymaniyah, noting that the Asayish teams arrived promptly at the sites, initiating investigations. No casualties were reported from the incidents.

Media Guidance Amid Security Threats

The Sulaymaniyah branch of the Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate urged local media in a statement to exercise accuracy and responsibility, especially amid heightened missile, cyber, and drone attacks. 

The statement said: “We urge all media outlets in Sulaymaniyah province and surrounding areas to exercise greater accuracy, responsibility, and caution before publishing urgent news or reports that include geographic or war-related details. Some reports may inadvertently aid the attacking parties, while others could undermine the morale of citizens. Protecting the spirit of unity and courage among the Kurdish people remains our primary responsibility at this time.”

“We further emphasise the need to adhere strictly to our guidelines. Ensuring the safety of our media teams and safeguarding Kurdistan’s security is our top priority,” the statement added.

The Media and Information Department Issue Strict Guidelines 

The Kurdistan Region’s Department of Media and Information has issued a set of guidelines aimed at safeguarding national security, protecting citizens’ homes, and ensuring responsible media coverage for local and international broadcasters, as well as digital and social media. 

The guideline include prohibiting:

- Live videos or photographs showing the trajectory of drones or missiles and damaged locations, as well as location and timing of their crash.

- Addresses of victims’ and damaged areas or detailed damage reports.

- Images or footage of military or security installations, personnel movements, equipment, weapons, government institutions, or diplomatic missions.

The Department Media and Information emphasised that journalists must exercise caution when publishing videos and photographs received from the public, underlining that content containing sensitive information or depicting security infrastructure must not be published.

The department warned that any breach of these guidelines will subject the responsible agencies or individuals to strict legal action.

The new wave of attacks on the Kurdistan Region comes amid regional tensions following the U.S.-Israeli joint operation against Iran on 28 February 2026, which prompted retaliatory strikes by Iran on neighbouring countries, including the Kurdistan Region.



PUKMEDIA