Kurdish Region Endures Heavy Toll as US-Iran Conflict Escalates

Since the February onset of the U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran, the semi-autonomous Kurdish region has been hit by hundreds of missile and drone strikes, according to Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. He reported over 1,000 attacks on military, energy and civilian installations, resulting in deaths, injuries and extensive infrastructure damage. The violence has slashed inter-regional trade by roughly 70 percent, worsening a long-standing financial squeeze over oil revenues and state salaries.

KRG spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani accused Iran-aligned armed groups of violating Iraqi sovereignty and said the Iraqi government has not acted against these factions. Meanwhile, U.S. assets in the region have faced retaliatory strikes, and Iranian-backed militias continue to operate outside Baghdad’s control, further destabilising the area.