As Israel and the US unleash coordinated strikes on Iranian leadership, nuclear sites, and missile facilities this week—prompting Iranian missile retaliation on US Gulf bases like Al Udeid in Qatar and the 5th Fleet HQ in Bahrain—it’s critical to understand the buildup that preceded these events. Prior to the February 27-28 attacks, Iranian Kurdish opposition groups had been intensifying preparations for potential incursions, training both male and female fighters in northern Iraq’s Kurdistan Region.
Coalition Forms Amid Escalating Tensions
In a pivotal move on February 22, 2026, several factions—including PDKI, PJAK, PAK, Khabat, and Komala branches—united under the “Coalition of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan.” These groups established training camps in Iraq’s rugged border mountains, roughly 13-20 miles from Iran, honing skills in combat drills, drone countermeasures, and tactics aimed at toppling Tehran’s regime. The efforts ramped up in early 2026 as US-Iran frictions boiled over, positioning the Kurds to exploit any regime fractures.
Fighters’ Resolve and Experience
PAK members, battle-hardened from anti-ISIS operations, ran February exercises showcasing their readiness. Meanwhile, KDPI camps train novice peshmerga-style recruits, including women like 19-year-old Farina, who voice unwavering commitment to the cause even amid personal risks.
Strategic Timing and Iranian Pushback
This training dovetails with the current chaos from Israel-US airstrikes, as Kurds back Iranian protests and draft post-regime governance plans for their regions. Yet challenges loom: Iran deploys drones for surveillance, repels border probes from Iraq and Turkey, and contends with threats from Iraqi Shiite militias like Kataib Hezbollah targeting their KRG hosts.
