Iran continues to attack Kurdish groups in Iraq despite new Iraqi PM

The persistent Iranian attacks on Kurdish groups within Iraq's Kurdistan Region, even following the visit of Iraq's new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to the region, underscore a complex and volatile geopolitical landscape. Since late February, coinciding with increased US and Israeli strikes on Iran, the Kurdistan Region has been subjected to over 800 Iranian attacks, while US forces and diplomatic installations in Iraq have faced more than 600 assaults. This sustained aggression, particularly targeting groups like the Komala Toilers of Kurdistan and the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI), demonstrates Iran's continued willingness to project power beyond its borders.

From our perspective in the region, these attacks are not merely isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of Iranian assertiveness and a challenge to Iraqi sovereignty. The fact that these strikes occur despite the new Iraqi leadership's efforts to balance support from Iran with pressure from the US highlights the difficult position Baghdad finds itself in. The expectation that Kurds might rise up against Iran in response to these attacks has not materialized, suggesting a complex internal dynamic within the Kurdish community and a strategic calculation by Iran to exploit these divisions.

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bases and positions belonging to the Komala Toilers of Kurdistan - an Iranian Kurdish opposition group - in the Kurdistan Region have come under more than 70 Iranian drone and missile attacks since the outbreak of the Iran war in late February, a party spokesperson told Rudaw on Monday.

The continued operations of Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, who have not disarmed, further complicate the security situation. The total number of attacks, exceeding 1,100 since late February, indicates a significant escalation of conflict. While Prime Minister-designate Zaidi attempts to assert his authority by meeting with Kurdish leaders, the ongoing Iranian military actions suggest that regional stability remains elusive. This situation is particularly concerning for the Kurdistan Region, which finds itself caught between external aggressors and internal political pressures.

Western media often frames these events through the lens of US-Iran tensions. However, from a local standpoint, the impact on the Kurdistan Region is direct and severe. The attacks disrupt daily life, displace communities, and threaten the fragile stability that has been painstakingly built. The continued targeting of Kurdish opposition groups is a stark reminder of the unresolved issues between Iran and its internal dissent, played out on Iraqi soil. The resilience of these groups, despite facing relentless assaults, speaks volumes about their determination.

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Early Wednesday morning, 6 May 2026, Iran’s terrorist IRGC conducted drone strikes against the PDKI’s Girde Chal camp. Two drones hit the perimeter of the camp, which serves as a residence for the families of PDKI members.