ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraq’s National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji arrived in Erbil on Monday with a high-level security delegation as part of an investigation into recent drone attacks that have targeted oil fields and strategic sites in the Kurdistan Region.

The Kurdistan Region's energy infrastructure sites have come been attacked by myriad drone strikes in recent weeks, coinciding with the announcement of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel after a 12-day military conflict. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Araji, who chairs a committee tasked with investigating the recent drone attacks, held a “high-level security meeting” with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and its security services in Erbil.

During the meeting, Araji reiterated Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani’s assertion that “the security of the Region is an integral part of Iraq's security."

At a joint press conference with KRG Interior Minister Reber Ahmed earlier in the day, Araji said, “It is too early to name the group responsible for the attacks on Kurdistan. We are waiting for the investigation results.” He added, “Our goal is to hold those responsible accountable.”

Ahmed announced that a joint Erbil-Baghdad technical committee will be formed to investigate the remains of the drones and identify their origin and the parties responsible.

Major General Abdul Khaliq Talat, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s representative in the Joint Operations Command, said in an interview with The New Region that armed groups carried out more than 20 drone attacks recently.

“The federal government is now fully aware of the attacks,” Talat said. “The investigation this time is serious, and we expect results.”

According to Talat, 17 drone attacks took place this month alone. He said Araji is personally leading the investigation for the first time and received detailed information and coordinates directly from the Kurdistan Regional Government.

“This new committee is very different,” he said. “It includes top officials from Iraq’s security institutions. We expect them to announce results and take direct action.”

Talat said Araji had previously visited Erbil and met with Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed. “We gave them all the needed information and insisted these attacks must stop,” he added.

The general said the drone campaign began with attacks on radar systems in Baghdad and Anbar before targeting areas in Kurdistan. “The attackers are known, and their goals are clear,” he said. “Previous investigations even identified launch points and key figures behind earlier attacks, all inside Iraq, but no action was taken.”

He warned that the current situation is more dangerous than before and called for urgent action. “Not holding these groups accountable in the past is why the attacks are continuing,” Talat said. “If the attacks go on, the outcome won’t be good.”

Talat added that the drone strikes have political and economic aims as well, such as disrupting oil production and blocking salaries. “Legal steps must be taken quickly, just like what happened after yesterday’s armed attack on the agriculture department in Baghdad,” he said.