Iranian commander warns Iraqi Kurdish government about harboring opposition
The IRGC's rare warning has fueled fears about civilian casualties in the Kurdish villages stretching on the Iran-Iraq border.
The commander of the Ground Forces of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of a "decisive and harsh response" against Kurdish fighters based in the semi-autonomous Kurdish territory.
"The current situation is no longer tolerable," said Gen. Mohammad Pakpour in reference to a recent uptick in border clashes between Iraq-based Iranian Kurdish opposition and IRGC forces on the rugged border.
Suggesting what could be a looming offensive, the IRGC general called on locals to stay away from the "terrorists' positions so that they (the locals) will stay unharmed." Pakpour advised the KRG against risking "friendly ties" with Iran by allowing the "terrorists who have built dens" to "freely roam" in northern Iraq.
The Kurdish opposition was quick to condemn the latest "threat" from the Iranian general, noting that Tehran will be responsible for any possible civilian casualties.
