Iran launches new missile, drone attack on Kurdish opposition bases in Erbil

A security official told Rudaw that two drones struck the area, causing no casualties. Aseparate drone also struck a house in the city of Soran. It came a day after Iranianmissiles struck the same area, injuring at least two Peshmerga fighters from Komala.

The attacks targeted the headquarters and camps of Iranian Kurdish opposition groupsbased in the Kurdistan Region, which Tehran has long accused of posing a securitythreat.

The attack comes amid stalled diplomatic talks between the US and Iran following weeksof renewed fighting over the Strait of Hormuz, as a maritime blockade remains in effect. 

On Tuesday, Iran launched three missiles at Komala’s headquarters in the same locationat around 1:20 pm local time, according to Amjad Hussein Panahi, head of the group’scommunications.

“Although the attack was carried out intensely, our forces were able to protectthemselves safely because of their preparedness and implementation of securitymeasures,” Panahi said.

He later told Rudaw that two people were injured in the attack, but that their injuries were“very slight.”

“Just now, the Islamic Republic of Iran carried out a third missile attack against theheadquarters and camp of the Komala Toilers Party of Kurdistan in the Alana Valley,”Panahi said shortly afterward.

Panahi said the latest strikes were part of an ongoing Iranian campaign against Kurdishopposition groups in the Kurdistan Region. According to him, more than 102 missiles anddrones have targeted Komala positions since the start of the US-Iran war on February 28.

The latest attacks came about two weeks after an Iranian missile strike on a Komala basein the Alana Valley injured six members of the group. Panahi told Rudaw at the time thatthe missiles were Khaybar Karar missiles.

In mid-July, nine Komala members were killed when Iran struck the group’s headquartersin Zirgwez, near Sulaimani province. The group said six missiles were used in that attack.

Iranian Kurdish opposition groups based in the Kurdistan Region have repeatedlyaccused Tehran of targeting their bases. Iran has repeatedly demanded that Baghdadand the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) disarm or expel the groups, saying theythreaten Iran’s security.

The attacks have not been limited to the bases of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups.

Rudaw has recorded more than 950 Iranian drone and missile attacks on the KurdistanRegion since the start of the US-Iran conflict, killing 32 people and wounding 154 othersas of early August.

The KRG has repeatedly stated that the Kurdistan Region is not a party to the conflict andhas called for an end to attacks on its territory.

[Source: Rûdaw English]