Erbil: Six Peshmerga fighters were killed, and 30 others were injured in an Iranian ballistic missile strike on military positions in Erbil in northern Iraq, the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs said Tuesday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the headquarters of the 1st Region's 7th Infantry Division and the 5th Infantry Division of the Peshmerga forces in Erbil's Soran district were targeted by six Iranian ballistic missiles. The Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs described the attack as a violation of the principles of good neighborliness and a hostile and treacherous act.

The ministry expressed its disappointment, stating that they did not expect such a response to the Kurdish region's peaceful stance. It emphasized that betrayal and oppression are short-lived and that the will for peace will ultimately prevail. The ministry also urged all parties to avoid conflict and chaos in the Kurdish region and called on the federal government, the international community, and allies to address these violations and end such aggression.

Nechirvan Barzani, head of the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), condemned the Iranian attack, labeling it a hostile act. Barzani reiterated the Kurdish region's commitment to peace and stability, emphasizing a policy of non-involvement in conflicts and asserting that the region poses no threat to neighboring countries' security. He urged the Iraqi federal government and the international community to intensify efforts to prevent the recurrence of such violations.

The missile strike comes amid escalating regional tensions following a joint offensive by the US and Israel on Iran on February 28, resulting in over 1,340 deaths, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Iraq, Jordan, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties, infrastructure damage, and disruptions to global markets and aviation.