In recent months, Iraq has witnessed a significant increase in attacks against Kurdish regions, particularly targeting Iranian Kurdish groups. Following the announcement of a cease-fire between the United States and Iran on June 14, 2023, violations of this agreement quickly became apparent. On June 16, an Iranian drone struck a camp belonging to an Iranian Kurdish group in Iraq's Kurdistan Region, marking a clear breach of international humanitarian principles. The Kurdistan Region has been subjected to at least 751 attacks since the onset of the Iran war on February 28, with 104 of these occurring after the cease-fire was declared. These assaults primarily targeted Iranian Kurdish groups that operate from Iraqi territory, such as the PDKI, the PAK, and the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan. The ongoing violence raises concerns about the safety of Kurdish civilians and the stability of the region, as the attacks appear to be excluded from the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, which aimed to halt military operations across all fronts. The situation is further complicated by Iran's security agreement with Iraq, which seeks to disarm Iranian Kurdish groups and restrict their political activities. As a result, the Kurdish population feels increasingly vulnerable, believing that their interests are overlooked in the negotiations between larger powers.
