Baghdad – Iraq has initiated the relocation of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups away from its border with Iran, announced Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein on Tuesday, in response to Iranian demands.
The groups have been resettled in distant camps within the autonomous Kurdistan region in northern Iraq. The move comes after Iran warned that Iraq must take action against these groups, which it accuses of fomenting protests and serving foreign interests.
At a press conference, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein confirmed that the necessary measures had been taken to remove the Iranian Kurdish opposition groups from the border areas. They have now been settled in camps located in the central part of Kurdistan, an autonomous region in Iraq. This relocation is part of Iraq’s commitment to addressing Iran’s concerns and maintaining stability along the border.
Tensions between Iraq and Iran escalated a year ago when Tehran launched deadly missile and drone strikes on Iraq’s Kurdistan region. These strikes occurred simultaneously with protests in Iran over the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd who was arrested for allegedly violating the country’s strict dress code. Tehran accused the Kurdish groups in Iraq of instigating the protests.
Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region has previously hosted camps and rear bases operated by several Iranian Kurdish factions, which Iran has accused of serving Western or Israeli interests. To address these concerns and improve border security, Iraq and Iran signed a “security” agreement in March, specifically covering their shared border.
Under the terms of the agreement, Iran demanded that Iraq disarm the Iranian Kurdish opposition groups, remove them from their bases, and relocate them to camps by September 19. Iran warned that if Iraq fails to comply, it would assume responsibility and take necessary action. While Iraq’s Foreign Minister did not mention disarmament, he stated that his country had begun implementing the agreement, and he would convey this message during his visit to Tehran on Wednesday.
Foreign Minister Hussein emphasized that Iraq expects Iran to refrain from resorting to violence against Kurdistan or violating Iraq’s sovereignty. The negotiations between the two countries will focus on preventing the opposition groups from crossing the border and using weapons against the Iranian government. Additionally, they will address the importance of avoiding threats of violence and bombings in specific areas of Iraqi Kurdistan.
Notably, the regional government of Iraqi Kurdistan has not publicly discussed the implementation of these measures, despite holding several meetings with Iranian officials. The relocation of the Iranian Kurdish opposition groups represents Iraq’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability along its border with Iran, while also addressing Iran’s concerns regarding the activities of these groups. The ongoing negotiations aim to find a diplomatic resolution and prevent any further escalation of tensions between the two neighboring nations.
