A tragic incident unfolded at the Erbil airbase when a man working for the US defense contractor V2X was killed in a drone attack on 24 March. The deceased, a national of Kenya, succumbed to his injuries in the night attack while in his sleeping quarters on the base. Five sources reported that this attack occurred as the individual and several colleagues were placed in harm’s way, pressured to remain in Iraq despite the evident security risks.
Among the injured were five workers from Kenya and India, part of a group of about 45 employees who have remained at the base. One of the injured workers is in critical condition with severe burns. A source speaking anonymously expressed their dismay, stating, “The company has messed up here bad.
He didn’t have to die. The company thought it was more important to keep the mission going rather than get people to safety.”V2X has nearly 300 employees in Erbil, predominantly American, Indian, and Kenyan.
Workers interviewed by the Guardian mentioned that other US defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin and Amentum, had evacuated their staff weeks prior, prompting questions about the reasons behind V2X’s continued presence. Lockheed Martin and Amentum did not respond to requests for comment.
The employees, who have requested anonymity to avoid retaliation, describe a culture of fear and hostility among the staff. They have accused management of becoming hostile when questioned about safety or evacuation plans. One source expressed their fear, stating, “People are scared.
Rather calming people, leadership threaten our jobs.”Despite the ongoing tensions, V2X has maintained that the security situation is not severe enough to warrant an evacuation. The company has informed its employees that leaving would be considered a “voluntary evacuation “and would result in resignation from their jobs.
Employees were reportedly told by a senior manager that they would be blacklisted from future employment with the company if they chose to leave.
Workers also raised concerns about the lack of security at the hotel where the majority of them are staying. They fear potential attacks by local Iran-allied militants. “There’s no safety plan, no security, no evacuation plan, “one source stated. “.
We are one of the biggest targets just sitting here. Everybody in Erbil knows we’re here.”The situation has been further complicated by the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, which began at the end of February.
US embassies in the region have urged American citizens to exercise increased caution and consider leaving the region. The US Embassy in Baghdad issued an alert on 2 April, warning of potential attacks on U. S.
Citizens and interests.
Employees have alleged that V2X is at risk of losing its contract to support Iraq’s F-16 fighter jet program if employees evacuate. The company holds a LOGCAP contract to provide base operating support and security services in Iraq, valued at $252 million. Despite these concerns, several members of V2X management, including the task order manager and site manager, have evacuated Erbil.
In a parallel incident at Martyr Brigadier General Ali Flaih air base (formerly known as Balad Air Base), V2X workers have faced similar treatment. They have been told that the security situation is not severe enough for an evacuation, and anyone leaving would be designated a voluntary evacuee and terminated from their job. Workers at the base have been ordered to wear Personal Protective Equipment helmets and vests, as drones and projectiles have been intercepted over the area.
