A number of Kurdish leaders, in separate statements and remarks, have condemned the missile attack that targeted Peshmerga forces in the Kurdistan Region, resulting in the killing of six fighters and the injury of 30 others, stressing that it constitutes a violation of national sovereignty and contradicts the principles of good neighborly relations, according to their issued statements.
In a message dated March 24, 2026, President Masoud Barzani condemned “in the strongest terms the attack carried out at dawn today with Iranian missiles on positions of the Kurdistan Peshmerga forces,” noting that the assault led to “the martyrdom of a group of heroic Peshmerga and the injury of others.” He added that he extends his “deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of the martyrs of this unlawful attack,” wishing a speedy recovery to the wounded. He stressed that “this attack is an act of aggression and cannot be justified in any way,” pointing to the repetition of such assaults “without regard for the principles of good neighborliness and international law,” and clarified that the Kurdistan Region “has never been part of the war taking place in the region.”
For his part, Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, announced that the “treacherous and deceitful hostile attack” targeting Peshmerga headquarters resulted in “the martyrdom of 6 Peshmerga heroes and the injury of 30 others.” He stated in his statement that “we will take all necessary measures to confront this aggression against the Kurdistan Region,” adding: “We call on the federal government and the international community to put an end to these hostile attacks on the Kurdistan Region.” He also offered his condolences to the families of the martyrs and wished the wounded a speedy recovery.
Meanwhile, Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, said that “this attack is a direct assault on the sovereignty of the country, bears no justification, and completely contradicts the principles of good neighborliness.” In his statement, he explained that the Iranian missile attack targeted Peshmerga headquarters in the Soran area, affirming that the region “is committed to a policy of non-involvement and staying away from conflicts,” and does not pose “a threat to the security of neighboring countries.” He called on the Iraqi federal government and the international community to “intensify efforts to prevent the recurrence of such attacks and to protect the sovereignty of Iraq’s territory and the Kurdistan Region.”
In the same context, Bafel Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, condemned the shelling, considering that “targeting the Kurdistan Peshmerga forces constitutes a violation of the sovereignty of Iraqi territory and the Kurdistan Region.” In his statement issued on Tuesday (March 24, 2026), he added: “We call on the Iraqi government and the international community to exert their efforts to prevent any similar attacks from recurring,” affirming that the Kurdistan Region “has never been part of this war,” but has instead worked to “find a peaceful solution through dialogue.”
Similarly, Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, condemned the attack, stating that “targeting Peshmerga forces in Kurdistan” represents “a violation of the sovereignty of Iraqi territory and the Kurdistan Region and contradicts the principles of good neighborliness.” He noted that “despite our having clearly stated our position to all parties since the beginning of this war—that the Kurdistan Region and the Peshmerga forces are not part of this war—unfortunately, the region has been targeted dozens of times,” explaining that “in the latest incident, 6 Peshmerga members were killed and others were wounded as a result of a missile attack on the outskirts of Soran district.” He concluded by offering condolences to the families of the martyrs and wishing recovery to the wounded.
For his part, Mazloum Abdi, Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces, expressed his solidarity, saying: “I share the grief of our Kurdish people in the Kurdistan Region and the Peshmerga forces over the martyrdom of their heroes,” offering his condolences to “President Masoud Barzani, the leaders in the region, and the families of the martyrs,” and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
According to the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs in the Kurdistan Region, the attack was carried out using six missiles, resulting in “the martyrdom of 6 Peshmerga fighters and the injury of 30 others.”
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