Peshmerga ministry warns of response after new drone attacks

ERBIL — The Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs said Monday that new drone attacks targeted a Peshmerga base, warning it may take further action if the federal government continues what it described as inaction.

In a statement, the ministry said, “On the night of April 5, 2026, once again outlaw terrorist groups carried out an attack using four explosive drones on a Peshmerga base in the Kurdistan Region.”

It added, “In recent days, repeated terrorist attacks have targeted Peshmerga bases in different areas of the Kurdistan Region.”

The ministry said the strikes were carried out openly. “These attacks are being carried out openly and in full view of Iraqi military and security forces.”

It also criticized Baghdad’s response, saying, “So far, the federal government, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Joint Operations Command and Iraqi security institutions have taken no serious position to prevent these terrorist and destructive attacks.”

The ministry stressed that Peshmerga forces are “part of the security and defense system and have always played a key and effective role in protecting the security of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq,” calling for the attacks to stop and those responsible to be held accountable.

It added, “We have exercised restraint for the sake of the interests of all the people of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and in consideration of this sensitive situation, but if the federal government continues this position, we will be forced to take another position.”

The statement follows a series of attacks targeting Peshmerga forces in recent weeks. On March 24, six ballistic missiles struck positions near Soran in Erbil governorate, killing six fighters and wounding about 30 others. Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani called the strike “a direct hostile aggression against the sovereignty of the country,” while Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani said it “cannot be justified.”

Officials have said the Kurdistan Region “has not been a party to the current war in the region and has never posed a threat to neighboring countries.”

At least 474 attacks have been recorded across the Kurdistan Region between Feb. 28 and March 27, according to Community Peacemaker Teams – Iraqi Kurdistan, resulting in 107 casualties including 14 killed and 93 injured. At least 46 civilian homes and 32 civilian vehicles were damaged. More than three-quarters of attacks were concentrated in Erbil governorate. Civilian areas have been struck “despite having no connection to the war of the United States and Israel against Iran,” the group said.