AiBotErbil, Iraq ( Kurdistan Region News Agency) – At least three Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones targeted locations belonging to the opposition group Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) in the northern Iraqi Kurdistan region earlier today, according to eyewitness accounts and reports.
Eyewitnesses reported witnessing three drones approaching the targeted sites in the early morning hours. PDKI members confirmed that the drones successfully carried out their missions and struck their facilities. The exact extent of the damage is still unclear at the time of this report.
The Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan is an opposition group that advocates for the independence of Iranian Kurdistan and has been the target of Iranian operations in the past. The group’s leaders and members reside in the autonomous regions governed by the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
The incident marks the latest escalation in the long-standing tensions between the Iraqi Kurdistan region and neighboring Iran. Tensions have been simmering for years over a range of issues, including trade, water rights, and the activities of opposition groups.
Iranian military forces have launched several operations against PDKI and other opposition groups based in the region in recent years. However, today’s drone strike on PDKI sites marks one of the most severe incidents of its kind.
“We condemn the Iranian aggression,” said Masoud Barzani, the former president of the Kurdistan Region. Barzani said that such actions threaten regional stability and undermine the principles of peaceful coexistence.
Kurdistan Regional Government officials have yet to comment on the incident officially, but sources close to the government confirmed that a meeting has been held to discuss the situation with officials from the international coalition.
The incident has sparked an intense reaction on social media with many calling for decisive action to be taken against Iranian aggression. Others have warned of unintended consequences and encouraged restraint in responding to the situation.
The United States Department of Defense has not released an official statement, but officials have expressed concern over the escalating situation in the region.
A senior official from the United States Department of Defense confirmed that “US forces in the region are on high alert in response to heightened tensions.”
As the situation continues to unfold, regional leaders are closely monitoring developments and preparing for contingencies.