As all-out war between Israel and Iran inches closer, authorities in Iraq's Kurdistan Region are appealing for calm and international engagement to contain a potential regional war, even as they discreetly brace for the wide-reaching repercussions, including security threats, economic disruption and environmental hazards.
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani held a telephone discussion on Monday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, addressing the increasingly volatile situation that followed a major Israeli attacks last Friday. That strike killed several high-ranking Iranian military figures and nuclear scientists, prompting Tehran to retaliate with a large-scale missile and drone barrage on Israeli territory—one of the most dramatic escalations between the two rivals in recent decades.
According to a statement issued by Iran's Foreign Ministry, Barzani appealed to the international community to take "swift and decisive action" to prevent further violence and safeguard regional security.
A separate communiqué from the Kurdistan Region Presidency noted that both sides "underscored the importance of preserving peace and stability," reaffirming Erbil's consistent opposition to military conflict and its support for diplomatic avenues.
The Kurdistan Region, which shares a lengthy and largely unguarded frontier with Iran, is home to numerous Iranian Kurdish opposition factions. Many of these groups have operated from the rugged borderlands for years. In 2023, Baghdad and Tehran signed a security arrangement obligating Iraq to disarm these groups and relocate their members away from the Iranian border—an agreement made in the wake of threats from Iran to launch unilateral cross-border operations.
Araghchi, as per the Iranian readout, reiterated the necessity for both the federal Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Region to fully implement the terms of this deal, warning that "malign actors" could exploit current tensions to destabilise the frontier.
While Kurdish authorities have established new settlements to host members of these factions, doubts persist over the extent of actual compliance. Mohammed Hakimi, a Komala Party official, told The New Arab that their fighters remain armed and continue to hold positions near Sulaimaniyah.
"We have not relinquished our weapons, although we are not currently engaging in any operations targeting Iran or disrupting the Kurdistan Region's internal security," Hakimi explained. He clarified that the recently opened camp in Surdash hosts only families and children, with the armed cadres remaining in highland villages such as Bana Gawra and Zirguezila.
Strategic caution
Pressed on whether Komala intends to re-enter Iranian territory amid the turmoil, Hakimi said the group had made no such decision and is closely watching how events unfold. He also denied viral social media claims that Israel had struck civilian infrastructure in Kurdish areas of Iran, such as a hospital in Kermanshah. While an airstrike reportedly impacted a site nearby, he confirmed that "the hospital itself was not hit directly," though some patients were injured by the blast.
Meanwhile, the Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK), an Iranian Kurdish guerrilla group with links to the PKK, stated on 14 June, committing to defend the people of Rojhilat (eastern Kurdistan) and Iran under the principle of "legitimate self-defence." PJAK also advocated for grassroots democracy and local self-administration as a counterweight to state repression.
However, analysts have voiced concerns that any attempt by PJAK or the PKK to carve out autonomous governance in western Iran could trigger Turkish military involvement, potentially drawing Ankara deeper into the conflict.
Public reaction within the Kurdistan Region is sharply divided. On Kurdish social media, three clear narratives have emerged. A secular, largely left-leaning contingent is expressing overt support for Israel, viewing the current conflict as a potential opportunity for regime change in Iran—and, by extension, a chance to advance Kurdish independence.
Conversely, a nationalist-Islamist bloc is backing Iran's retaliatory strikes despite a long history of political and sectarian grievances with Tehran's leadership. A third group, typically represented by academics and neutral observers, remains critical of both Iran and Israel, arguing that neither historically supported Kurdish ambitions and instead often manipulated the Kurds for strategic purposes.
Beyond political allegiances, there is growing concern about the economic and environmental implications of the unfolding war. Residents are beginning to hoard essential supplies amid fears that the Iran-Iraq border—a vital commercial artery—could be sealed off.
Basic food prices are spiking, and the Iraqi dinar continues to depreciate against the US dollar. Kurdish media have also raised concerns about the potential for radioactive fallout if Iran's nuclear facilities are targeted by Israel or the United States, questioning the Region's preparedness for such a scenario.
Economic paralysis
This geopolitical emergency coincides with a deepening financial crisis in the Kurdistan Region. The KRG has failed to disburse May salaries for most public sector workers and pensioners following Baghdad's decision to withhold federal budget transfers. The central government has accused the KRG of failing to remit revenues from illicit oil sales and local taxes.
The resulting salary delays have triggered widespread strikes and absenteeism in government institutions, exacerbating an already fragile administrative situation at a moment of unprecedented regional instability.
Against this backdrop, the Iraqi Kurdistan Region's leadership continues a careful balancing act—avoiding provocation, offering reassurances to Iran, and making urgent appeals to the international community for restraint—all while the consequences of the Israel-Iran conflict increasingly expanding.