Iraq: Iranian forces reportedly strike Kurdish militant targets in Iraqi Kurdistan July 10-11

Event

Media reports indicate that Iranian forces have conducted cross-border airstrikes against Kurdish militant positions in Iraq's Kurdistan region, near the Iraqi-Iranian border, on Wednesday, July 10, and Thursday, July 11. The airstrikes on July 10 reportedly targeted two border villages, killing one person and wounding two others, while the July 11 attack targeted militant positions on Mount Halgord near Choman district (Erbil province).

Similar attacks targeting Iranian-Kurdish militant positions are possible in Iraq's Kurdistan region over the coming days.

Context

The airstrikes were carried out following the killings of two members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on July 8 in Piranshahr (western Azerbaijan), which Tehran has attributed to Iranian-Kurdish opposition groups.

Turkey has also carried out strikes against Kurdish militants in Iraq since 2015 despite objections by the Iraqi government. In January 2019, the Turkish military conducted airstrikes against suspected Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) positions in Iraq's Dohuk province; at least four civilians were killed in the incident. While the Iraqi government criticized the conduct of foreign military operations on its soil, the Turkish government indicated it would "continue [its operations in Iraq] without interruption." Lack of substantive Iraqi retaliation for Turkish airstrikes within their territory has encouraged Iranian military forces to carry out their own airstrikes in Iraq, targeting suspected Kurdish militants, without significant fear of Iraqi reprisal.

Advice

Individuals in Kurdistan region are advised to monitor developments to the situation and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments. Seek shelter immediately in the event of a missile attack.