ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - A retired Iraqi military officer warned of serious security risks after several rocket attacks hit sensitive sites in Kirkuk, including a civilian airport, a military airport, and a residential area.

Retired Brig. Gen. Ayad al-Toufan shared what he called an “initial” analysis of the missiles in a post, saying the rockets included a GR122-LR model, a guided, long-range missile with a 122 mm caliber, first manufactured in 2023.

“This is a serious development,” Toufan wrote. “The missile is not like the old, unguided Grad rockets. It has a strong guidance system, which means it has high accuracy and a long range with very little room for error.”

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks as of this writing.

He noted that one missile landed between the military and civilian airports and another hit a home, but said the mistake was likely due to “shooter error, not the weapon itself.” He warned that whoever carried out the attack has enough money to buy this advanced technology.

“This raises big questions,” Toufan said. “It shows that armed groups now have access to new, guided missiles, which likely means some countries are supporting them. Their goal may be to destabilize Iraq and shift focus from bigger problems.”

In response, the Kirkuk International Airport administration confirmed the airport was targeted but said the attack did not cause any damage or flight delays.

“In light of what was shared in the media and online, we want to confirm that there were no material or human losses,” the airport said in a statement. All parts of the airport, including the runway, infrastructure, and operations, were unaffected.

The statement added that flight schedules continue as planned and safety standards are being followed according to rules from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

“Kirkuk International Airport remains a key link between Iraq and the world,” the airport said. “We ask the public to ignore rumors and trust only official sources for accurate information.”