Iranian strikes on N. Iraq's Irbil kills at least 6 Peshmerga fighters
People walk near the citadel in Irbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq, March 18, 2026. (AFP Photo)


At least six Peshmerga fighters were killed and 30 others wounded Tuesday when an Iranian ballistic missile struck military positions in northern Iraq's Irbil, the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs said.

"This morning, the headquarters of the 1st Region’s 7th Infantry Division and the 5th Infantry Division of the Peshmerga forces in Irbil’s Soran district were targeted by six Iranian ballistic missiles," the ministry said in a statement.

It called the attack a "violation of the principles of good neighborliness" and "a hostile and treacherous act."

"We did not expect such a cowardly response to the Kurdish region’s peaceful stance. However, betrayal and oppression are short-lived, and the will for peace will prevail," the ministry said.

"We once again call on all parties to avoid conflict and chaos in the Kurdish region, and we urge the federal government, the international community and all our friends not to remain silent in the face of these violations and to put an end to such reckless aggression," it added.

Regional escalation has continued to flare since the U.S. and Israel launched a war on Iran on Feb. 28, killing so far over 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Iraq, Jordan, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.