Iraq warns Kurdish authorities not to get drawn into war on Iran, sources say

Iraq's federal government has warned the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) not to allow Kurdish groups to become involved in the war on Iran, telling Kurdish authorities that Iraqi forces could move to take control of border areas if they fail to prevent it from happening.

Iraqi, Kurdish and Turkish officials told Middle East Eye that Baghdad delivered the warning earlier this week amid growing fears that Kurdish groups could be coerced by Washington into joining the US-Israeli war on Iran.

"The message from Baghdad was clear: Kurdish groups must not get involved in Iran," one Iraqi official familiar with the discussions said.

"If the KRG cannot prevent it, then Iraqi federal forces will move to secure the border".

Kurdish and Turkish sources confirmed the warning to MEE, saying the KRG was under intense pressure from both Baghdad and neighbouring countries to prevent the escalation as speculation grows that Iranian Kurdish groups could attempt to launch operations across the frontier.

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