SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region — Iran and Iraq have reached an agreement to disarm the Kurdish opposition parties based in the Kurdistan Region to western Iraq, Nasser Kanaani, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran told reporters on Monday. Under the deal, Iraq commits to disarming these groups by the end of September and dismantling their military bases in the Region.
Kanaani confirmed that in line with this trilateral agreement, signed by Iran, Iraq, and Kurdistan Region’s authorities, elements of the Kurdish opposition will surrender their weapons and withdraw from their fortified positions. Subsequently, they will be resettled in the western parts of Iraq.
He emphasized that should Iraq fail to adhere to the agreement within the stipulated time, Iran would fulfill its obligation by taking action against the armed groups. This would involve launching bombings within the Kurdistan Region’s territory.
The agreement, which is not subject to any extensions, sets a strict deadline of September 19, for resolving the issue of these Kurdish opposition parties and moving them away from the Iranian border areas to designated camps within Iraq.
The implementation of this agreement is set to begin after the expiration of a previously established six-month period between Tehran and Baghdad.
Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji had previously met with his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Ahmadian in Tehran to discuss measures aimed at tightening border security and control. al-Araji had also visited the Kurdistan Region and had engaged with regional officials to discuss the implementation of the agreement.
Al-Araji sought to reassure #Sulaimani officials that the #Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, is committed to maintaining security throughout the country, including the #Kurdistan Region, stressing that the security of Sulaimani is the security of all, and violating… pic.twitter.com/9qK5dQy1Mm
— Zoom News (@zoomnewskrd) April 8, 2023
Also, Mohammad Pakpour, the commander of the ground forces in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), had previously called on Iraq to expel these Kurdish opposition groups from its territory.
He emphasized the necessity of adhering to the security agreement to avoid potential targeting and bombings of the headquarters of the Kurdish parties in the Region.
Iranian strikes target Kurdish opposition groups in Kurdistan Region
Last year, Iran carried out a series of missile and ‘suicide’ drone attacks on the headquarters of Kurdish opposition groups based in the Kurdistan Region, resulting in dozens of fatalities among the parties, garnering international condemnation.
Iranian attack on Kurdistan Region draws international condemnations
