PM Barzani condemns ongoing drone attacks despite ceasefire, urges federal action

ERBIL — Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani condemned a series of drone attacks on the Kurdistan Region over recent days, saying at least five people have been killed and many more injured despite the ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

“Although we have not been part of the conflict, we continue to come under attack,” Barzani said. “These attacks have killed at least five people and injured many more, in an effort to undermine the ceasefire and further harm our region.” He called on the Iraqi federal government to “take practical measures to end these attacks” and urged international partners to provide equipment to strengthen defenses, including protection for “civilian and energy infrastructure.”

Among those killed was Ghazal Mawlan, a female Peshmerga fighter with Komala Shorshgery Zahmatkeshani Kurdistani Iran, who died in the early hours of April 14 after being moved between several hospitals in Sulaymaniyah following a drone strike blamed on Iran.

The Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan reported a separate wave of Iranian missile and drone strikes Friday targeting its positions, including civilian camps. A strike on a civilian camp killed Shahin Azarbarzin and critically wounded his father Nader Azarbarzin. In a separate attack on a Peshmerga unit in mountainous areas, two female fighters — Neda Miri and Samira Allayari — were killed and several others wounded.

The Kurdistan Region faced more than 500 attacks during the five-week regional conflict, including Iranian ballistic missile strikes, drone attacks on civilian neighborhoods, diplomatic compounds and energy infrastructure. The attacks have continued despite the announced ceasefire.