Kurds: “I Heard the Sound of Freedom” — U.S. Bombers on the Way to Iran

Iraqi Kurdistan is caught in the widening crossfire between the U.S.-Israel campaign and Iran. Iranian missiles and drones have struck areas inside the Kurdistan Region, particularly around Erbil, even as U.S. forces target Shia militias operating in Iraq.

A Kurdish man named Ibrahim described the reaction among many locals. “When Kurds see U.S. aircraft flying overhead, they say, ‘I hear the sound of freedom.’” He said many Kurds are grateful that U.S. strikes are hitting militias aligned with Tehran.

Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein confirmed that the country is now directly affected by the conflict. Speaking Monday in a call with UK Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Hamish Falconer, Hussein said Iran continues to bomb areas in the Kurdistan Region, especially Erbil, while opposing forces strike sites in southern and western Iraq. He did not directly name the United States or Israel, though both are widely blamed for attacks on pro-Iran groups.

Baran, a resident of Erbil, described the attacks as primarily drone strikes targeting Erbil and the Al-Harir military base, an American facility about 50 minutes north of the city. “I didn’t hear that they shell or attack anywhere else except Erbil and Al-Harir,” he said. “Mainly what we hear is drones that came from Iran and some from Hashd al-Shaabi.”

He said Kurdish sources believe some drones may have originated from militia-controlled areas south of the Kurdistan Region, though exact launch points cannot be confirmed. Despite repeated attempts, he said the attacks have not successfully hit their intended targets due to the U.S. Patriot missile defense system.

“They’re attacking that place, but it’s never getting a target,” he said. “The Patriot system could stop the drones before they reach their goal.”

Another Kurdish man named Dana reported that an intercepted drone fell in his neighborhood. “An Iranian drone was shot down by a U.S. defense system near the airport, and debris fell in my neighborhood. Four houses had their windows broken. Praise God, we are okay.”

Iranian-backed militias have openly claimed responsibility for some attacks. The group Saraya Awliya al-Dam said it targeted U.S. positions in Erbil on March 1. Iraq hosts roughly 100,000 fighters within Iranian-aligned militias operating under the Popular Mobilization Forces umbrella, including Kataib Hezbollah, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba. Though many are sanctioned by the United States as terrorist organizations, they are formally integrated into Iraq’s security structure.

As militia forces strike U.S. facilities and Kurdish areas, their own positions have reportedly been hit near the Syrian-Iraqi border and in other strongholds, suggesting reciprocal escalation.

Baran said most Kurds quietly welcome U.S. strikes on Iran. He pointed to a previous Iranian missile strike that killed a man close to the Barzani family along with his infant child, describing it as a message from Tehran demonstrating its willingness to strike Kurdish territory. “Since that time, and even before, because of the pressure on Kurdish people in Iran, all the Kurds are against this regime,” he said.

He also argued that Iran exerts pressure on the Kurdistan Regional Government through allied Shia parties in Baghdad. The KRG relies on a fixed percentage of Iraq’s national budget, but Iran-aligned factions have repeatedly attempted to restrict or delay those funds. “They try to create a situation so they can cut the fund to Iraqi Kurdistan,” he said, blaming Tehran’s political influence in Baghdad.

Baran believes Iran opposes Kurdish development for two main reasons. First, economic and political success in Iraqi Kurdistan could inspire Kurdish populations elsewhere to demand greater autonomy. “Any success or development inside Iraqi Kurdistan pushes the other parts of Kurdistan to ask for their rights,” he said. In his words, Iran is trying to “put sticks in the wheels” to prevent the region from becoming stronger.

Iran feels threatened by the success of Iraqi Kurdistan, as it may inspire the 8 to 12 million Kurds living in Iran to seek similar autonomy.

Second, Kurdistan’s close relationship with the United States makes it a strategic target. The region hosts American military bases and maintains what he described as a strong partnership with Washington. He also claimed coordination with Israel. “All of these reasons make Kurdistan a target for Iran,” he said.

 

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