Iranian Revolutionary Guards bombed civilian residential areas in Hewlêr (Erbil) on the night of 15 January, killing 4 civilians and wounding 16.

The Kurdistan Region Presidency released a statement, saying: "We strongly condemn the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' hostile attack on Hewlêr last night, which resulted in the martyrdom and injury of many civilians. We express our condolences to the families of the martyrs and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded".

Defining the attack as a crime against international law, neighbourliness and humanitarian values, the Kurdistan Region Presidency added, "The pretext of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards for the attack is completely baseless and untrue."

Iran claimed that the missiles destroyed "a headquarters" where Israeli intelligence services were operating.

In a statement after the attack, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry condemned “the attack against Iraq's sovereignty and the security of its people.”

Iraq summoned the Iranian chargé d'affaires to deliver a "letter of protest" and its ambassador in Tehran "for consultations".

According to Iraqi diplomats, the government ordered the establishment of a commission of inquiry to prove "the falsity of the allegations made by those responsible for these reprehensible acts".

White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson condemned the attacks as "unprovoked" and emphasised that "no American personnel or facilities were targeted".