The Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq has been one of the main targets of Iran and its proxies since the start of the US and Israel war against Iran on February 28.
There have been some 600-700 drone and missile attacks on the region. Kurds have been killed, and the drones and missiles have wreaked havoc in the cities of the region. This includes numerous attacks on the regional capital, Erbil, as well as on Sulimaniyah and Duhok.
Many attacks also targeted Kurdish Iranian opposition groups, which have bases and members in northern Iraq, because some Kurds in Iran have lived in exile in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
The Kurdish people live in Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey. The Kurdish opposition groups have long had forces in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. They have trained in the mountains and maintained small camps and facilities for their members and families.
Over the years, Iran targeted some of these groups, specifically the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) and also the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), as well as the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan.
At the start of the war, Tehran told its militias in Iraq to target the Kurdistan Region. They targeted US forces and facilities in the region, the UAE consulate, and also Kurdish groups and Kurdish Peshmerga – The armed forces of the autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq.
Iran also targeted the Peshmerga directly from Iran, killing at least seven Peshmerga, who are the armed forces of the autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government.
Iraq welcomes Iran, US ceasefire
Iraq has welcomed the ceasefire that Iran has apparently entered into with the US. It appears that the Iranian proxy militias in Iraq, often known as the “Islamic Resistance,” will now pause attacks. Nevertheless, there were still tensions.
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Wednesday “welcomed the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, calling it a crucial step toward reducing tensions in the region,” Rudaw media reported in the Kurdistan region.
He said it is “an important step toward de-escalation, the protection of civilians, and the restoration of constructive dialogue,” adding that “we appreciate the efforts of all sides that contributed to facilitating this ceasefire.”
In addition, he noted that “I hope all parties will uphold this commitment in good faith and work toward a lasting peace that promotes stability, security, and prosperity throughout the entire region.”