Update 2026-03-05 (6): Multiple drone and rocket strike reportedly targeted Iranian Kurdish opposition sites in the Surdash area of Sulaymaniyah Province and the Rizgari Sub-district of Erbil Province on Thursday (5 March). Facilities linked to the Komala Party and the Khabat Organization of Iranian Kurdistan were affected. In a separate incident, a drone strike also hit an oilfield operated by a US company in Dohuk Province, causing a fire. The extent of damage and any casualties were not immediately confirmed. Multiple drones reportedly targeted oilfields near the villages of Nisra and Kafarki in Chamanke Sub-district, north of Dohuk Province. One drone was intercepted before reaching its target, while another crashed near a power generator inside the oilfield, sparking a fire.
Update 2026-03-05 (5): According to the latest report on Thursday (5 March), fresh strikes targeted Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq. Several security forces were reportedly injured after strikes hit the Khabat Organisation headquarters in Khabat District of Erbil Province. Earlier, a drone struck a camp belonging to the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) in the Koysinjaq District.
Update 2026-03-05 (4): According to the latest media reports, an oil tanker was attacked in the port of Khor al-Zubayr early Thursday morning (5 March, 1:30 am local time). The Sonangol Namibe, which flies the flag of the Bahamas, was damaged by a boat during the attack.
Update 2026-03-05 (3): Early on Thursday morning (5 March, Iraq local time), the US government denied reports that the USA was arming Kurdish ground troops for a mission in Iran. A spokesman for the Autonomous Republic of Kurdistan also denied reports that Kurdish fighters from Iraq were already in Iran. Early on Thursday morning (5 March, local time in Iraq), the US government denied reports that the US was arming Kurdish ground forces for deployment in Iran. A spokesperson for the Autonomous Republic of Kurdistan also rejected reports that Kurdish fighters from Iraq were already in Iran. At the same time, however, the Jerusalem Post reported that official Israeli and US representatives had confirmed a ground offensive involving several hundred fighters.
Update 2026-03-05 (2): According to the sources from Thursday (5 March), explosions were reported during strikes targeting positions of an Iranian Kurdish armed group in Sulaimaniyah Province in the Kurdistan Region. Reportedly, the strikes targeted facilities linked to anti-Iran separatist forces. The extent of casualties or damage was not immediately confirmed.
Update 2026-03-05 (1): Major fighting is reported to have taken place in the Sulaymaniyah Governorate. Explosions were reported in the areas of Arabat, Zarkuiz and Surdash. The attacks are said to have targeted facilities belonging to the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan, an Iranian-Kurdish opposition party in exile.
It had previously been reported that Kurdish militias were gathering in the governorate in preparation for a possible ground offensive in Iran.