Local resident Ibrahim shows a photo of his house destroyed by a missile fired by US forces in Salahuddin province, Iraq, on January 4, 2022. Photo: Xinhua

Iraq on Sunday demanded a "frank and clear explanation" from Iran about the ballistic missile attack on its semi-autonomous Kurdish region's capital Erbil.

The Iraqi Ministerial Council for National Security, headed by Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, held an emergency meeting to discuss the Iranian missile attack, which came against "the principle of good neighborliness between Iraq and Iran, as well as a violation of international laws and norms," according to a statement by the ministerial council.

"Iraq has requested, through diplomatic channels, frank and clear explanations from the Iranian side, and is awaiting a position from the Iranian political leadership in rejecting the aggression," said the statement.

The council stressed Iraq's constant rejection of settling scores between countries and entities by violating Iraq's sovereignty, noting its lands cannot be used to attack neighboring countries.

Earlier on Sunday, the Kurdish regional Interior Ministry said in a statement that 12 long-range ballistic missiles were fired at 1 am local time (2200 GMT Saturday) from the east outside Iraqi borders toward the new building of the US consulate in Erbil and the surrounding residential areas. 

The attack resulted in injury of a civilian and damage to several buildings, according to a statement.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has claimed a missile attack on an Israeli intelligence base in Erbil.

US forces stationed at Erbil's international airport complex have come under rockets and booby-trapped drones attack by unknown militias in the past.

Xinhua