FACT CHECK: Did Kurdish fighters really launch ground offensive in Iran?

Amid reports that the US may consider supporting Kurdish forces against Tehran, a new report on Thursday (Mar 5) claimed that hundreds of Kurdish fighters have begun ground activity in areas near the Iraq-Iran border. This comes even as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a telephonic conversation with Bafel Talabani, the head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Iraq amid reports of CIA's help to the group. The two pledged “cooperation” against "terrorist activity" along the shared border. Kurdish leader extended condolences to Araghchi on the demise of Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, reports of ground offensive by Kurdish fighters surfaced soon after the call. Clarifying on the report soon, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of Iraq said it is not true.

Also Read: Is America confused on why US entered Iran war?

What reports say about Kurdish forces on ground?

According to a report on The Jerusalem Post, Israeli and American officials confirmed that Kurdish forces have launched offensive on ground near the Iraqi border. The report claimed, quoting sources, that the strategy concept behind the activity is that fighting along the border areas would force the Iranian regime to divert military and security resources there, which in turn would make it easier for Israeli and American forces to attack Iranian cities. Moreover, the report claimed that there has been contacts and discussions between US President Donald Trump and Kurdish leaders in Iraq about possibility of attack in certain areas by Kurdish forces that would destabilize the Iranian regime. However, there has been no official confirmation about the same from any Israeli, American or Iranian authority.

Also Read: Khamenei's top aide Larijani rules out negotiations with US after Trump says ‘I have agreed to talk’

What Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of Iraq said?

An official in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of Iraq said that the region rejects the use of its territory to launch attacks against neighboring countries, while emphasizing that decisions regarding such matters fall under the authority of the federal government in Baghdad. The Deputy Chief of Staff of Iraqi Kurdistan, Aziz Ahmad has called the reports fake and said, “Not a single Iraqi Kurd has crossed the border.”

What Iran said?

Iran’s Tasnim news agency, quoted by Reuters, says its reporters in three border provinces deny the reports. Channel 12 reporter Barak Ravid, who earlier cited a US official confirming the offensive, updates that there are “conflicting reports” and says that a senior official in one of the Iranian-Kurdish factions also denies that a ground offensive has begun. Meanwhile, IRNAnews agency reported that Iran has targeted headquarters of Kurdish groups in Iraqi Kurdistan.

What was the conversation between Iran FM and Kurdish leader?

Iraqi Kurdish leader and Iranian foreign minister spoke after reports of CIA arming Iranian Kurds. "During the conversation, Bafel Talabani expressed his condolences and sympathy over the martyrdom of the Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) and all those killed in the American-Zionist crime," the ministry said in a statement. The statement added that Araghchi also referred to "terrorist movements" along the shared border and stressed the need to strengthen cooperation to safeguard border security in line with bilateral security understandings.