Iraqi PM and Kurdistan President Reject Use of Iraqi Territory for Attacks

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani spoke by phone with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Day 7, with both affirming their rejection of attacks targeting Iraqi cities including the Kurdistan Region, and stressing that Iraqi territory must not be used as a launching point for attacks against neighbouring countries. Both sides emphasised the need to confront challenges through unified positions and coordinated discourse. The call comes amid reports that Iran-backed PMF factions have been using Iraqi territory to launch drone attacks against US bases and that Kurdish militant groups PJAK and KDPI have opened a ground offensive inside Iran from Iraqi Kurdish territory. The Guardian reported earlier this week, citing a US official, that Washington is ready to provide air support to Kurdish fighters if they cross the border from northern Iraq into Iran — a significant potential escalation. Barzani issued a separate statement marking the 35th anniversary of the 1991 Kurdish uprising, saying the Kurdistan Region must remain a key factor in peace and stability and must not become part of any conflict or military escalation that harms the lives and security of citizens.