Irbil, Iraq – Kurdish Iranian dissident groups are preparing for potential cross-border military operations in Iran, a move that comes as tensions escalate following recent attacks in the Middle East. The groups, widely considered the most organized element of the Iranian opposition, have reportedly moved forces to areas near the border and are awaiting further direction, according to Kurdish officials. The United States has reportedly asked Iraqi Kurds to support these groups, raising the stakes in a volatile region.
The potential for a fresh front in the conflict arises after the U.S. And Israel launched strikes against Iran on Saturday, triggering a new phase in regional hostilities. Prior to these attacks, the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) had already claimed responsibility for attacks on Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard in retaliation for a crackdown on protests within Iran. The entry of a significant ground force into the conflict, should it materialize, would mark a significant escalation.
Khalil Nadiri, an official with the PAK, stated on Wednesday that some of their forces have been positioned near the Iranian border in Sulaymaniyah province and are on standby. He indicated that leaders of Kurdish opposition groups have been contacted by U.S. Officials regarding a potential operation, though details remain scarce. Another Kurdish group, Komala, indicated readiness to cross the border within the next week to ten days, awaiting “suitable grounds” for action, according to an official who spoke anonymously for security reasons.
The move comes as Iraqi Kurds find themselves in a precarious position. Three Iraqi Kurdish officials revealed that U.S. President Donald Trump spoke Sunday night with Masoud Barzani and Bafel Talabani, leaders of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), respectively, to discuss the situation in Iran. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Trump requested military support for the Iranian Kurdish groups and access across the border.
U.S. Response and Iraqi Concerns
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump spoke with Kurdish leaders regarding the U.S. Presence in northern Iraq but denied any agreement on a specific plan. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, when questioned about potential U.S. Support for arming Iranian Kurdish groups, stated on Wednesday, “None of our objectives are premised on the support or the arming of any particular force. So, what other entities may be doing, we’re aware of, but our objectives aren’t centered on that.”
Iraqi Kurds have expressed concerns that direct involvement could provoke a harsh response from Iran. The region has already experienced a series of drone and missile attacks targeting U.S. Military bases, the U.S. Consulate in Irbil and bases belonging to the Kurdish groups. While most attacks have been intercepted, civilian homes have sustained damage, and electricity supplies have been disrupted due to security concerns impacting a key gas field.
The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) released a statement confirming Talabani’s conversation with Trump, noting that Trump “provided clarification and vision regarding U.S. Objectives in the war.” The PUK expressed a preference for a return to negotiations. Spokespeople for the Kurdish regional government and Barzani declined to comment.
Historical Grievances and Regional Dynamics
The involvement of Kurdish groups adds another layer of complexity to the conflict. Kurds in Iran have a long history of grievances and uprisings against both the current Islamic Republic and the preceding monarchy. During the rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Kurds faced marginalization and repression, leading to rebellions. Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the new theocracy also engaged in conflict with Kurdish insurgents, resulting in the destruction of Kurdish towns and villages and the deaths of thousands.
Yet, internal divisions exist within the Kurdish opposition. Disagreements have emerged between the Kurdish groups and factions led by Reza Pahlavi, son of the former shah, who has accused the Kurds of separatist ambitions.
Iraq’s Border Security Efforts
The presence of armed Iranian Kurdish groups in northern Iraq has been a source of friction between Baghdad and Tehran. In 2023, Iraq reached an agreement with Iran to disarm these groups and relocate them from border areas to designated camps. While their bases were closed and movement restricted, the groups did not fully relinquish their weapons.
Iraq’s National Security Adviser, Qassim al-Araji, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that Ali Bagheri, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, requested Iraq to prevent opposition groups from infiltrating the border. Al-Araji affirmed Iraq’s commitment to preventing infiltration and terrorist acts from its territory, adding that security reinforcements have been deployed to the border region.
Any movement by Iraqi Kurds to engage in cross-border attacks could further escalate tensions with Iran-backed Iraqi militias, which have already claimed responsibility for recent missile and drone strikes in Irbil.
The situation remains fluid, and the potential for further escalation is high. The coming days will be critical in determining whether Kurdish groups will actively join the conflict and how regional actors will respond. Continued monitoring of the border region and diplomatic efforts will be essential to prevent a wider conflagration.
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