On the morning of March 24, 2026, an Iranian missile strike hit a Peshmerga position in the Soran area of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, killing six Peshmerga fighters and injuring others. The incident occurred amid broader regional tensions linked to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, with various armed actors operating. According to Kurdish authorities, Iran acknowledged responsibility for the strike shortly after the incident, describing it as a mistake and stating that an investigation was underway.
Statement by the KRG Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs
This is President Barzani’s first reaction statement:
“We strongly condemn the Iranian missile attack that targeted the headquarters of the Peshmerga forces in Soran this morning, claiming the lives of a number of heroic Peshmergas and leaving others wounded. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”
“The Kurdistan Region has always been a factor of peace and stability. We are committed to a policy of non-involvement and conflict avoidance, and we pose no threat to the security of neighboring countries. Therefore, this attack is a direct hostile aggression against the sovereignty of the country and has no justification and is completely contrary to the principles of good neighborliness.”
“We call on the Iraqi Federal Government and the international community to intensify their efforts to prevent the repetition of these violations and protect the sovereignty of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.”
The President spoke to the press after attending the funeral ceremony for the Peshmerga martyrs who lost their lives in the attack.
At the outset, the President said: “I wish to offer my deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs and extend my sincere wishes for a swift recovery to the wounded. This was a profoundly sorrowful event. What I can confirm is that we engaged with the Islamic Republic of Iran immediately after the incident. They admitted that there was a mistake and promised to investigate the incident. They have sent a message of sympathy and condolences to the Kurdistan Region, and we are currently awaiting the response from the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the Kurdistan Region.”
The President added: “Naturally, we have strongly condemned this attack on the Kurdistan Region, as the stance of the Kurdistan Region is clear: we are a factor of peace and stability in the region. We have consistently asserted that we do not pose a threat to any of our neighboring countries, particularly the Islamic Republic of Iran. This policy has been our guiding principle since the onset of the conflict. We have remained uninvolved in this conflict and will continue to do so. Our current hope is that the Islamic Republic of Iran will finalize the investigation and provide the Kurdistan Region with details regarding what happened.”
In response to a question regarding the Iraqi government’s accountability for the attacks on the Kurdistan Region, President Nechirvan Barzani stated: “The Iraqi government is obligated to exercise its authority as a sovereign state. The attacks being carried out by illegal entities on the Kurdistan Region must be put to an end. This responsibility lies with the Iraqi Federal Government and must be addressed.”
In response to another question, the President of the Kurdistan Region stated: “We have not been part of this conflict, and we will not be part of it. We sincerely hope that no further incidents occur. The Iraqi security forces are also being targeted within Iraq, not solely in the Kurdistan Region; however, it is essential to establish limits for those who have violated the law.”
Prime Minister @masrourbarzani attended the funeral ceremony in Soran for the six Peshmerga who were martyred in the Iranian missile attack in the early hours of Tuesday March 24.
Following his participation in the ceremony, the Prime Minister delivered a statement to the press… pic.twitter.com/7arzizqlSN
— Kurdistan Regional Government (@Kurdistan) March 25, 2026
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also attended the funeral ceremony.
Following his participation in the ceremony, the Prime Minister delivered a statement to the press to extend his condolences to the families and relatives of the martyrs and to the people of Kurdistan. He reaffirmed his commitment to continuing on the patriotic path of the martyrs. In this regard, the Prime Minister said: “With deep sorrow, we extend our condolences from His Excellency President Barzani, to the relatives and the proud families of the martyrs, and to all of us over the loss of these six heroic martyrs. We also wish the wounded a speedy recovery.”
The Prime Minister reiterated that they were victims of treachery and betrayal, and that the attack on Peshmerga Forces was carried out without justification. He said that it is because of the blood of the martyrs that we live with pride in our country, and that Kurdistan is precious because of their sacrifice. Just as the blood of the martyrs has never been shed in vain, this time too it will not be in vain.
The Prime Minister also stressed that while we do not want to be drawn into any war and want Kurdistan to remain protected, we will do whatever is necessary to protect Kurdistan and defend the dignity, rights, land, and homeland of our people. He emphasized that we will continue along the path of our martyrs and the path of President Barzani.
International reactions:
Call with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan original article
Call with Hakan Fidan, Foreign Minister of Türkiye original article
Statement by US Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack Tweet
Statement by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tweet
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