Post by : Bianca
Haleem
On July 1 and 2, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) carried out missile and drone strikes on Kurdish militia positions near Erbil in Iraq's Kurdistan Region. The attacks targeted a camp belonging to the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), an Iranian Kurdish armed group based near the Iraqi-Iranian border.
According to the reported information, the IRGC fired two ballistic missiles and deployed two drones during the operation. Videos recorded by local residents from a distance during the night showed large fires burning at the targeted locations.
Multiple Kurdish Groups Targeted Within 48 Hours
The strikes were not limited to the PAK camp. Within a 48-hour period, the IRGC also attacked camps linked to at least two other Iranian Kurdish opposition groups operating in Iraq's Kurdistan Region. Iranian forces reportedly used missiles, rockets, and drones during these operations.
These Kurdish organizations have military bases in eastern Iraq close to Iran's border, where they have maintained their presence for years.
Border Clashes Preceded the Military Operation
The attacks followed several armed confrontations between Iranian security forces and Kurdish dissident groups inside Iran.
At least four clashes were reported in Mahabad, Saravan, and Paveh between June 29 and July 1.
According to Iranian authorities, five members of the IRGC were killed during fighting on June 29 and 30. Kurdish groups also reported casualties. The Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan said six of its fighters were killed on July 1, while reports indicated that four members of the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) died on June 30.
Regional Conflict Adds to Rising Tensions
The latest developments come amid wider regional tensions linked to the US-Israel war on Iran, which began on February 28.
A New York Times report published in May 2026 claimed that some Kurdish groups were expected to launch attacks and move into Iran as part of an initial US-Israel military plan. The report stated that US President Donald Trump later decided not to approve the operation. Kurdish groups denied receiving any weapons.
During the early days of the conflict, Israeli aircraft struck border posts between Iran and Iraq's Kurdistan Region, as well as Iranian military bases near the border where Kurdish armed groups are active.
At the same time, Iran launched numerous drone, rocket, and missile attacks against Kurdish militia camps located in Iraq's Kurdistan Region.
Casualty Figures Remain Unconfirmed
Kurdish groups said the Iranian attacks killed five militia members and one 17-year-old boy.
Iranian authorities, however, claimed that dozens of people were killed.
The FRANCE 24 Observers team stated that it could not independently verify the actual number of casualties reported by either side.
Four Main Iranian Kurdish Opposition Groups
There are four main Kurdish opposition organizations operating in Iran as political and armed groups.
The Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, founded in the 1940s, and Komala, established in the 1960s, are the oldest organizations.
The Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) was founded in 2006, while the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) was established in 2004. PJAK is affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
The PKK had been the main armed Kurdish movement active in Iraq and Turkey until it announced its dissolution in May 2025. The European Union, the United States, and Israel have designated the PKK as a terrorist organization.
Renewed Fighting After Ceasefire
During the wider conflict, Iranian military operations mainly targeted Komala and the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan.
Following the announced US-Iran ceasefire on June 17, some Iranian Kurdish armed groups resumed attacks on Iranian forces. These operations reportedly included assassinations of IRGC personnel and ambushes.
In recent weeks, additional clashes have taken place across Iran's Kurdish region involving the IRGC, PJAK, and fighters from the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan.
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