KRG and Qatar Prime Ministers Warn Militias Threaten Stability, Urge Baghdad to Act

Peregraf — Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said he discussed escalating regional tensions with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, with a strong emphasis on the growing threat posed by armed groups operating outside state control in Iraq.

In a statement, Barzani said both sides condemned recent attacks targeting the Kurdistan Region and Qatar, warning that such incidents reflect a dangerous deterioration in regional security.

He stressed that "outlaw militia groups" represent a serious and immediate threat, and called on the Iraqi government to take decisive action.

"We agreed that outlaw militia groups pose a serious threat, and that the Iraqi government must bring them under control," Barzani said.

The remarks come as the US–Israel war on Iran entered its 34th day, fueling instability across the region. Iran-aligned militias in Iraq have continued their attacks, including drone and rocket strikes, some of which have targeted areas in the Kurdistan Region.

Barzani reaffirmed the Kurdistan Region’s solidarity with Qatar and emphasized the need for closer coordination to confront shared security challenges.

The Kurdistan Region has repeatedly urged Baghdad to assert full authority over armed factions, warning that failure to do so risks further escalation and undermines Iraq’s stability.

Data compiled by the Peregraf Media Foundation indicates that more than 500 drones and missiles have targeted locations across the Kurdistan Region since the outbreak of hostilities. These attacks have been attributed either to Iranian forces or to armed groups operating under the banner of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.

According to Peregraf’s records, at least 13 people—including Peshmerga personnel and security officers—have been killed in these operations, while approximately 50 others have been wounded.

One of the deadliest incidents occurred on March 24, when six Peshmerga fighters were killed in Iranian ballistic missile strikes in Erbil Province, underscoring the growing risks posed by the continued escalation.