Peshmerga ministry calls on Baghdad to rein in terrorist groups attacking Kurdistan

Erbil, Kurdistan Region — Kurdish military officials on Sunday called on the federal government in Baghdad to rein in outlawed armed groups that have repeatedly targeted Kurdistan Region Peshmerga forces, following another drone attack on a Peshmerga base overnight.

The Peshmerga Ministry released a statement condemning the attacks. “Outlawed terrorist groups launched another sabotage attack last night on a Peshmerga forces headquarters on the outskirts of Chamchamal [city], using an explosive-laden drone,” the ministry said on Sunday. “We strongly condemn this attack, which aims to undermine security and stability in the region.”

The ministry did not say whether any Peshmerga fighters were injured in the attack but called on Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani to rein in these groups.

Iraqi militia groups affiliated with Iran have launched dozens of drone and missile attacks on the Kurdistan Region over the past three weeks, targeting civilian infrastructure, Peshmerga bases, and a US military facility at Erbil airport.

“It is very surprising that some groups and parties, under the name of ‘resistance’ and with baseless excuses and slogans, allow themselves to attack civilian locations, the economic infrastructure of the Kurdistan Region, and Peshmerga bases. This is warmongering and a clear assault on the rights of citizens and on the stability and security of the Kurdistan Region,” President Masoud Barzani said on March 8 after these militia groups launched their initial attacks.

The United States and Israel launched a large-scale aerial campaign against Iran on February 28, striking thousands of targets across the country, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) bases and missile launchers.

IRGC-affiliated Iraqi militia groups soon joined the conflict, launching dozens of drones and missiles toward the Kurdistan Region and Gulf countries. Prior to the war on Iran, these militia groups had launched several attacks on the Kurdistan Region and its oil facilities but intensified their attacks after the war started.

On Wednesday, three Peshmerga fighters were wounded in two separate drone attacks on bases in Sulaimani and Erbil, according to a ministry statement.

Rudaw understands that these outlawed terrorist groups have carried out more than ten attacks on Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Peshmerga forces over the past three weeks.

The IRGC has also targeted the Kurdistan Region multiple times, citing the presence of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups as justification.