2026 Iranian strikes on the Kurdistan Region

2026 Iranian strikes on the Kurdistan Region
Part of the 2026 Iran war, 2026 Iranian strikes on Iraq and 2026 Kurdish–Iranian crisis
2026 Iranian strikes on the Kurdistan Region (Iraqi Kurdistan)
Date28 February 2026 – present (3 weeks)
Location
Kurdistan Region, Iraq specifically in and around Erbil
Status Ongoing
Belligerents
Units involved
See order of battle
Casualties and losses
At least 30 killed (from US airstrikes)
1 rocket mounted technical destroyed[1]
7 Kurdish civilians wounded[2]

On 28 February 2026, following the 2026 Iran war, the Islamic Republic of Iran and allied Iran-aligned Shi'ite militias, primarily operating under the umbrella of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), launched a series of ballistic missile and drone attacks against the Kurdistan Region, Iraq.[5]

Most of the attacks in Iraq, around 200 as of 11 March 2026, have focused on the Kurdistan Region. The area hosts the majority of US forces in Iraq after troops withdrew from several facilities in federal Iraq in recent years.[6]

Background

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has hosted several U.S. military bases and installations since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Between 2020–2021 and again in 2025–2026, the United States undertook withdrawal processes from Iraq. During these phases, U.S. forces were not withdrawn from the Kurdistan Region but instead redeployed there,[7] including troops relocated from the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, leading to a significant concentration of U.S. personnel and equipment in the region.[8]

Iran has previously attacked the Kurdistan Region under the pretext of targeting "Mossad headquarters," including during the 2022 Erbil missile attacks and strikes in 2024.[9] Meanwhile, its allied Shi'ite militias, operating in areas between federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, have repeatedly attacked U.S. bases in the past.[10][11] In 2025, a Shi'ite militia drone strike hit the Khor Mor gas field, causing a massive fire and highlighted the autonomous region's need for improved air defense systems.[11]

The Kurdistan Region also hosts several Iranian Kurdish opposition parties in exile. These groups have previously launched cross-border attacks into Iran and have themselves been targeted by Iranian drone and missile strikes, including in 2018 and 2022.[12] United under the Coalition of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan, they stated during the 2025–2026 Iranian protests that they would seek to help topple the Iranian regime and assume authority in Iranian Kurdistan in the event of U.S. military action.[13][14]

Incidents

Following the joint Israeli–U.S. strikes, the Kurdistan Region, especially its capital, Erbil, was targeted. Repeated explosions, air-raid sirens, and interceptions could at times be heard for more than two hours straight and were notably more sustained in intensity than previous strikes on the Kurdistan Region.[11] In the first three days, Erbil alone was targeted by more than 70 missiles and drones, however, U.S. air defense systems in the region intercepted the majority of them, resulting in little to no damage.[11][15]

Prominent sites targeted included Erbil International Airport, where U.S. forces of the International Coalition against ISIS are based,[16] and the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil, which opened in late 2025 and is the largest U.S. consulate in the world.[17] Outside of Erbil, U.S. forces were also targeted at the Harir Air Base.[18]

The attacks also targeted the headquarters of the 11th Brigade of the Peshmerga, located near the Degala subdistrict in Erbil Governorate,[19][20][21] and the headquarters of the Peshmerga's Unit 70 Command, affiliated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). The attacks resulted in the death of one member of the Asayish and the injury of another.[3]

Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in the Sulaymaniyah Governorate (Sulaymaniyah City,[22] Zargwez area,[23] and Dukan District[24]), and Erbil Governorate (Pirde,[25] Koya District,[26] Gomaspan,[26] Khabat District[24]) including the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI), the Komala of the Toilers of Kurdistan, the Organization of Iranian Kurdistan Struggle, and the Komala Kurdistan's Organization of the Communist Party of Iran (CPI) were targeted as well.[24][23] On 3 March, strikes on PDKI bases intensified, resulting in the minor injury of one member.[27][28][29]

Other targets included civilian areas in Soran District, Shaqlawa District,[24] civilian infrastructure, like hotels,[30][31] energy infrastructure,[11] and telecommunications and weather stations on Mount Korek[32][33] and Mount Zamnako. In Duhok Governorate the Chamanke oil fields were targeted by two drones.[24]

The pro-Iran Shi'ite militia groups, Saraya Awliya al-Dam,[34] the Islamic Resistance in Iraq,[35] and Ashab al-Kahf,[31] claimed responsibility for some of the attacks.

On 12 March, a missile hit an Italian military base in Erbil. No injuries were reported.[36] The same day another attack took place on a training camp used by French troops deployed in Erbil, one soldier was killed and six were wounded.[4]

On 15 March, three IRGC missiles hit a camp of the Iranian opposition group Komala Party in Iraqi Kurdistan.[37]

Response

In a precautionary step, the Khor Mor gas field halted gas supplies to power stations in the Kurdistan Region over fears of being targeted by strikes, leading to electricity blackouts.[15]

In response to the targeting of one of its military bases, the Peshmerga warned that "the continuation of these terrorist acts will not go unanswered."[20]

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) subsequently suspended official working hours in all schools, universities, and institutes across the region from 1 to 4 March. The Counter Terrorism Department also urged residents to seek shelter when air-raid sirens are heard.[15]

According to Axios, U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with leaders of the Kurdistan Region's two main parties, Masoud Barzani and Bafel Talabani, a day after the bombing campaign began, discussing what were described as "sensitive" topics.[38]

Following several days of strikes on the Kurdistan Region, Kurdish leaders, including Masoud Barzani and Bafel Talabani, warned the federal Iraqi government to take "serious" steps to stop the assaults by Shi'ite militias operating in the Iraqi borderlands, stating that "restraint also has its limits."[39]

US military response

The United States responded to the attacks by targeting Iran-aligned groups, including several factions part of the PMF.[6][40][41]

Sites targeted included PMF positions in Mosul, the Nineveh Plains,[42] Kirkuk, and Al Anbar Governorate. Some of the strikes were described as "intense" and resulted in the deaths of at least 30 PMF fighters, while several others were wounded.[40] Some of those killed in Kirkuk were reportedly members of the Turkmen Brigades within the PMF.[42]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Peshmerga Foil Militia Rocket Attack on Erbil, Destroy Vehicle Near Khazir". 5 March 2026.
  2. ^ a b c "Kurdistan Region hit by nearly 300 drones, missiles in two weeks of war". Rudaw. 13 March 2026. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  3. ^ a b "Two killed as drones rain down in Kurdistan Region". The New Region. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  4. ^ a b "Middle East war live: French soldier killed in drone attack in Iraq's Kurdish region, Macron says". France 24. 12 March 2026.
    "Six French soldiers wounded in Iraq after drone attack, army says". Reuters. 12 March 2026.
  5. ^ "Joint Statement on Iran's Missile and Drone Attacks in the Region". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  6. ^ a b Frantzman, Seth J. (11 March 2026). "US condemns Iranian and militia attacks in Iraq amid unclaimed airstrikes on Tehran-backed militias". FDD. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  7. ^ "Iraqi militias attack US forces: New Iran war frontline?". The Jerusalem Post. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  8. ^ Aldroubi, Mina; Mahmoud, Sinan. "US troops attacked in Erbil as Iraqi militants consider options". The National. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  9. ^ "After nuclear talks break down, Iran claims ballistic missile attack in Iraq". The Washington Post. 13 March 2022. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 2 April 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  10. ^ "Armed drone targets Harir military base in northern Iraq -sources". Reuters. 9 November 2023. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  11. ^ a b c d e Iddon, Paul (2 March 2026). "Militia Drones And Rockets Bombard Iraqi Kurdistan As Iran War Seems To Grow". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  12. ^ "Kurdish group claims Iran missile, drone attack". The Jerusalem Post. 21 January 2026. Archived from the original on 9 February 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  13. ^ "Iranian Kurdish opposition parties form new alliance amid rising US-Iran tensions". rudaw.net. Archived from the original on 27 February 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  14. ^ "Iran Update, February 25, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. 26 February 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  15. ^ a b c Hussein, Dalshad (28 February 2026). "Missiles, Sirens, and Darkness: Erbil's Long Night". Alhurra. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  16. ^ "Iran Update Evening Special Report, March 1, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. 2 March 2026. Archived from the original on 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  17. ^ "Drones Shot Down Over Erbil Near U.S. Consulate as Iran-Israel Conflict Expands to Iraqi Kurdistan". Kurdistan24. 28 February 2026. Archived from the original on 1 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  18. ^ "Harir air base in Erbil hit by two suspected drone attacks: mayor". rudaw.net. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  19. ^ "Drone Attack Targets Peshmerga Headquarters Near Erbil, Ministry Urges Baghdad to Act". Kurdistan24. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  20. ^ a b "Drone attack targets Peshmerga headquarters in Erbil". Shafaq News. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  21. ^ "Peshmerga forces targeted with drone in Erbil". rudaw.net. Archived from the original on 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  22. ^ "دەزگەی ئاسایشی هەرێمی کوردستان بۆ رووداو: نازانین هێرشەکەی سەر سلێمانی بە درۆن بووە یان مووشەک" [Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Security Agency: We don't know whether the attack on Sulaimani was carried out by drones or missiles]. Rudaw. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  23. ^ a b Frantzman, Seth J. (2 March 2026). "Kurdish Iranian opposition groups say Iran targeted them in northern Iraq, claim operations in Iran". FDD. Archived from the original on 3 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  24. ^ a b c d e "Attacks on Kurdistan Region intensify, causing casualties, damage". Rudaw. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  25. ^ "Kurdish party says attacked in Erbil". Rudaw. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  26. ^ a b "Iran, Iraqi proxies intensify attack on Kurdish opposition groups in Kurdistan Region". Rudaw. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  27. ^ "Drone attack targets Iranian Kurdish Party headquarters in Erbil Province". Shafaq News. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  28. ^ "Three explosions rock Erbil in fresh strike on Iranian Kurdish opposition site". Shafaq News. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  29. ^ "Iran's IRGC strikes drones at Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq - VIDEO". caliber.az. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  30. ^ "Harir Base defenses neutralize drone over Erbil". Shafaq News. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026. Earlier today, Saraya Awliya al-Dam, an Iraqi armed faction within the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, also claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a hotel in Erbil, alleging it was hosting US soldiers.
  31. ^ a b "Drone strike hits upscale hotel in Erbil; no casualties". The New Region. 6 March 2026. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  32. ^ "Double drone strike hits Mount Korek in Erbil". Shafaq News. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  33. ^ "Erbil's Mount Korek attacked by suspected Iranian drone". Rudaw. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  34. ^ "PM Barzani, SDF chief Abdi stress 'protecting' Kurdistan Region amid regional conflict". rudaw.net. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  35. ^ "Islamic Resistance in Iraq: 67 Operations in 48h against the US". Shafaq News. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  36. ^ "Missile hits Italian base in Erbil, no injuries reported". Iran International. 12 March 2026. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
  37. ^ "IRGC missiles hit Iranian Kurdish opposition camp in Iraqi Kurdistan". Iran International. 15 March 2026. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  38. ^ "Scoop: Trump calls Kurdish leaders in Iran war effort". Axios. 2 March 2026. Archived from the original on 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
  39. ^ "Kurdish leaders warn pro-Iran groups against continued attacks on Kurdistan". Rudaw. 8 March 2026. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  40. ^ a b "Strikes on PMF bases in Iraq kill at least 30: Sources". The New Region. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  41. ^ "Airstrikes Hit PMF Positions in Anbar and Kirkuk, Causing Dozens of Casualties". Kurdistan24. 12 March 2026. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  42. ^ a b "Iran backed militia bases in Iraq targeted in airstrikes". The Jerusalem Post. 12 March 2026. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
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