Iran strikes Kurdish groups in Iraq

Iran has launched missile and drone strikes on Kurdish opposition groups based in northern Iraq, as the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel continues to spread across the region.

Iranian state media said the attacks targeted “anti-Iran separatist forces”, while the country’s intelligence ministry claimed it was striking positions used by groups planning to cross into Iran through the western border.

Iran’s military said it attacked “Kurdish groups opposed to the [Islamic] revolution in Iraqi Kurdistan with three missiles”. At least one person was killed and several others were injured in the strikes across Tuesday and Wednesday.

Explosions were reported in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region, including in Sulaimaniyah province. Local media said several blasts were heard near Arabat, Zarkuiz and Surdash.

One attack targeted the headquarters of Komala, an Iranian Kurdish armed group operating from Iraq. Video shared online showed explosions lighting up the night sky during the operation.

BBC reporters who visited one of the targeted sites found extensive damage after a ballistic missile struck a Kurdish opposition base. A building had collapsed, debris covered the surrounding area and a crater marked where the missile hit. Four Kurdish Peshmerga fighters were wounded in that strike, and one later died from his injuries.

Another base belonging to the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI) was hit in a separate drone attack the previous day, leaving one civilian injured.

Kurdish groups deny crossing into Iran

The attacks come amid speculation that Kurdish fighters might join the war against Iran from across the border. However, Kurdish opposition groups have denied reports that their forces have already moved into Iran.

"This is not true. Do not believe it," said Hanna Hussein Yazdan Pana of the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK). "Not a single Peshmerga [fighter] has moved. No-one moves alone."

Pana said six Kurdish opposition organisations had recently formed a coalition and were coordinating plans, but they would not act without international backing. "It's not about the hours or days. We cannot move if the air above us is not cleaned. We need to see weapons depots [of Iran's security forces] being destroyed. Otherwise, it would be suicidal."

She also called for a no-fly zone to protect Kurdish fighters.

"The regime is very brutal," she said, "and the most advanced weapon we have is a Kalashnikov."

Despite the denials, some Kurdish fighters say they are prepared to take part in the conflict. Hassan, a 25-year-old fighter carrying an AK-47, said: "We are closer than ever."

US and Israel continue strikes on Iran

The attacks on Kurdish groups come as fighting across the region continues to escalate.

Iran launched its 19th wave of missile and drone attacks against Israel and US-linked targets early on Thursday. Israeli air defences intercepted drones over the western Galilee, while Saudi Arabia said it shot down at least three drones. Qatar has ordered evacuations near the US Embassy in Doha.

Meanwhile, the United States and Israel have continued airstrikes on Iranian territory. Explosions have been reported in Tehran as well as Kurdish cities including Sanandaj, Saqqez and Bukan.

The Israeli military said it destroyed a ballistic missile launcher near the Iranian city of Qom, while US Central Command said it aims to “eliminate” Iran’s mobile missile launch systems.

Since the war began last weekend, more than 1,000 people have been killed in Iran, according to Iranian media.

Iraq looks to avoid conflict

The Kurdish region of Iraq has sought to distance itself from the escalating conflict. Nechirvan Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Region, said the territory “must not become part of any conflict or military escalation that harms the lives and security of our fellow citizens”.

“Protecting the territorial integrity of the Kurdistan Region and our constitutional achievements can only be achieved through the unity, cohesion, and shared national responsibility of all political forces and components in Kurdistan,” he added.

Iranian officials say their forces are cooperating with “noble Kurds” to block what they described as an “Israeli-American” plan to launch attacks from Kurdish territory.

Kurdish people make up roughly 10% of Iran’s population and live mainly in the country’s northwest. Across the wider Middle East, more than 30 million Kurds live across Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Iran and Armenia.

Human rights groups say Iranian Kurds have long faced discrimination and restrictions on their political and cultural rights.

Sir Simon Gass, a former British ambassador to Tehran, said Iran’s diverse ethnic makeup could create challenges for the government if unrest spreads. “If the United States and Israel find a way to ignite some of those groups into armed insurrection against the regime, it will be another problem which the regime needs to manage. It will be extremely difficult,” he said.

Still, he noted that Kurdish opposition fighters are relatively lightly armed and would struggle to challenge Iran’s military without outside help.

Civilians flee Tehran

Inside Iran, the war is also reshaping daily life.

Residents in Tehran have reported repeated blasts as strikes continue. According to reports from the capital, some people have begun leaving the city to stay with relatives outside the area.

“Starting from midnight, we saw another wave of these strikes begin, and an hour ago, we heard the sound of massive blasts from the eastern part of the capital and could even feel the shockwaves where we are,” said journalist Tohid Asadi.

He added that many residents remain in the city, living with “concerns, frustrations and anxiety” as the conflict shows no signs of slowing down.