Babaseikh Hosseini tells Al Jazeera that ‘there’s a robust likelihood of motion’, because the IRGC proclaims strikes on insurgent targets in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish area.
Revealed On 7 Mar 2026
The chief of an Iranian Kurdish nationalist group primarily based in northern Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish area has advised Al Jazeera that it’s “extremely possible” that Iranian Kurds will stage a cross-border floor operation into Iran.
Babasheikh Hosseini, the secretary-general of the Khabat Organisation of Iranian Kurdistan, mentioned on Friday that there was no operation “at this level” however the US had made contact with the group and it was contemplating a marketing campaign.
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“We now have been planning for a very long time, and now that situations are extra beneficial, there’s a robust likelihood of motion,” Hosseini advised Al Jazeera from the Kurdish area.
“We now have but to achieve a decisive resolution, however it’s extremely possible we are going to transfer ahead with a floor operation,” Hosseini added.
The insurgent chief concluded: “The Individuals have contacted us via varied channels however till now, we now have not met straight – however they contacted us.”
In the meantime, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) mentioned on Saturday that it had focused “separatist teams” within the Kurdish area, because the US-Israel war on Iran entered its second week.
“Three areas of separatist teams within the Iraqi area (of Kurdistan) have been hit … this morning,” the IRGC mentioned in a press release carried by the Tasnim information company.
“If separatist teams within the area [of Kurdistan] make any transfer in opposition to Iran’s territorial integrity, we are going to crush them.”
‘Iraqi territory should not a launching level’
The reported assault was carried out hours after the Iraqi authorities and the semi-autonomous Kurdish Regional Authorities mentioned on Friday that Iraq should not be a launchpad for assaults in opposition to neighbouring international locations, following studies that fighters would possibly try and cross into Iran.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Kurdistan’s regional president Nechirvan Barzani agreed in a cellphone name “that Iraqi territory should not be used as a launching level for assaults in opposition to neighbouring international locations”, the premier’s media workplace mentioned.
Tehran threatened on Friday to focus on “all of the amenities” of the area if exiled Kurdish Iranian fighters have been allowed to enter Iran.
Israel has been bombing elements of western Iran to assist Iranian Kurdish fighters, three sources aware of Israel’s talks with the factions advised the Reuters information company.
US President Donald Trump advised Reuters on Friday it might be “great” in the event that they crossed the border.
“I feel it’s great that they wish to try this, I’d be all for it,” the president mentioned.
A number of assaults in Iraq
The IRGC assertion additionally got here hours after drones reportedly struck airports and oil facilities in Iraq on Friday, and US-led troops shot down a number of drones over the Kurdish capital, Erbil, within the north of the nation. A drone additionally focused the Erbil Arjaan by Rotana lodge in Iraq’s Kurdistan area, safety sources advised Reuters.
In the meantime, late on Friday, Baghdad Worldwide Airport, which homes a army base and a US diplomatic facility, “got here below a collection of assaults” with drones and missiles, a safety official advised the AFP information company.
One other safety supply confirmed there was a drone assault adopted by a hearth on the airport.
Within the southern province of Basra, an oil facility housing overseas vitality firms got here below assault twice.
A safety official in Basra advised AFP late on Friday that “two drones have been shot down over the Burjesia oil complicated, however a 3rd received via” and hit the location.
The US embassy in Baghdad mentioned on Friday that Iran-aligned fighter teams could search to focus on motels frequented by foreigners within the Kurdish area, based on a submit on X.
