An American military aircraft struck a Popular Mobilization Forces base approximately 15 kilometers from Mosul, Iraq’s largest city in Nineveh Province, according to officials within the militia. One PMF official confirmed the airstrike, with the strike targeting a base in the Bartella area. The attack represents part of broader U.S. military campaign targeting Iran-backed forces in Iraq since the February 28 launch of coordinated U.S.-Israeli operations against Iran.
Meanwhile, Iranian Kurdish fighters sheltered in fortified positions across northern Iraq await potential uprising within their homeland, ready to mobilize either with American support or independently. The situation reflects complex intersection of ongoing military operations, Kurdish political aspirations, and uncertain American commitment to regional Kurdish movements.
U.S. Airstrike on PMF Positions
Bartella Base Attack and Targeting Pattern
The airstrike targeted Popular Mobilization Forces positions in the Bartella area north of Iraq. Both PMF officials and local authorities confirmed the attack, with no immediate casualty reports initially released.
This strike reflects continuation of American military operations against Iran-backed forces in Iraq since the February 28 initiation of broader U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.
Popular Mobilization Forces Structure and Composition
Popular Mobilization Forces represents coalition of factions established in 2014 to fight ISIS, later formally incorporated into Iraqi military establishment and armed forces command structure.
PMF structure includes brigades belonging to factions aligned with Iran, including Hezbollah Brigades. These factions operate both as formal PMF units and independently as components of the so-called “Islamic Resistance in Iraq,” which has repeatedly targeted American forces throughout Iraq and region.
Series of Repeated American Strikes
Since initiation of U.S.-Israeli war against Iran last week, multiple American strikes have targeted facilities of Iran-aligned factions operating within PMF bases. This series of operations reflects deliberate American strategy to reduce Iranian capabilities and associated militia capacity in Iraq.
Iranian Kurdish Fighters in Waiting
Fortified Shelters in Mountain Terrain
In hillside shelter within northern Iraq, concealed within a tunnel difficult to identify from exterior, approximately thirty Iranian Kurdish fighters await potential uprising within their homeland to mobilize immediately, with or without American support.
The group, consisting of both men and women dressed in loose-fitting trousers and military uniforms, gathers around dining tables. Above them hang portraits of “martyrs” fallen in previous operations, while screens display footage of Tehran and Beirut under bombardment.
Commander Rokhan Neiranda and Preparedness
Group commander Rokhan Neiranda, 39 years old with seventeen years of service in Kurdistan Free Life Party, emphasizes complete readiness for resistance. She states “if there is attack against Kurdish people, yes with all means, we are ready for resistance.”
Standing beside portrait of imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan, Neiranda declares “I think we can wrest our rights without American help.”
Free Life Party and Connection to PKK
The Free Life Party maintains strong connection to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) founded by Ocalan, a proscribed organization in Turkey classified as terrorist entity by Ankara and Western allies.
This affiliation reflects shared ideological roots and intellectual leadership of broader Kurdish opposition movements.
Fortified Infrastructure and Military Preparedness
Network of Concealed Underground Positions
The Free Life Party claims approximately 200 similar shelters positioned beneath peaks separating Iran from semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan region, at altitudes exceeding 2,000 meters above sea level.
This extensive shelter network reflects significant organizational capability and high levels of fortification and military preparedness.
Internal Shelter Facilities and Infrastructure
Within Neiranda’s fortified position, narrow passages descending underground lead to multiple chambers. These include sleeping quarters, kitchen and sanitary facilities, meeting halls, and library carpeted with rugs containing publications in Kurdish, Persian, Arabic, and Turkish.
This internal infrastructure reflects long-term preparedness for sustained operations and extended residence in fortified positions.
Ideological Foundations and Political Education
Political and Philosophical Publications
Shawan (pseudonym), a thin thirty-something from Sanandaj in Iranian Kurdistan, explains that library materials address “political, feminist, historical and philosophical topics, and books about Nietzsche, Lenin and Socrates.”
These intellectual selections reflect deep engagement with philosophical issues, political theory, and social movements.
Ideological Evolution of Fighters
Shawan initially embraced anarchist thought then Marxism. “After reading extensively and studying extensively,” he joined the Free Life Party at age twenty-six.
This developmental trajectory reflects intellectual and political evolution many Kurdish fighters undergo before joining armed movements.
Combat Readiness and Iranian Crackdown
Preparation for Armed Resistance
Shawan emphasizes “we are all ready for fighting, especially after what they did to people,” referring to brutal crackdown by Tehran against January protesters.
This readiness reflects reaction to historical pattern of Iranian state repression against Kurdish movements.
Ground Operations Not Currently Planned
However, ground offensive “is not on agenda at this stage,” according to Free Life Party leader Amir Karimi.
This caution reflects genuine consideration of timing and appropriate conditions for major operations.
Kurdish Vision for Popular Uprising
Importance of Popular Mobilization
Amir Karimi emphasizes “the most important is that people themselves become driving force. We need popular uprising.” At that moment his group could provide “external support.”
This position reflects understanding that external military operations alone prove insufficient without internal grassroots mobilization.
Response to Contradictory American Signals
U.S. President Donald Trump has sent mixed messages regarding Kurdish operation support. After initially announcing support for Kurdish attack against Islamic Republic, Trump stated Saturday “we don’t want Kurds involved” in the war.
This contradiction reflects unclear American policy toward Kurds and potential operations against Iran.
Concerns About International Guarantees
Political Dialogue with Americans
Karimi states “we don’t wait for Iran or United States to give green light,” while simultaneously referencing “dialogue” and “political exchange” that has begun with Americans.
This balance reflects attempts to maintain ideological and military independence while seeking external support.
Guarantees for Democratic Future
Karimi concludes that “Kurds will need guarantees for ensuring democratic Iran.”
He questions “who can guarantee that tomorrow (United States) won’t support another dictator?”
Neiranda concurs “we don’t only want exchanging one leader for another.”
These questions reflect historical Kurdish concerns regarding foreign promises and long-term commitments.
Decline of Iranian Kurdish Factions
Reduced Influence and Capabilities
However, weight of Iranian Kurdish factions has noticeably declined in recent years, after lengthy period conducting attacks against Iranian forces on borders, particularly amid pressure Iraq exerts on host government.
This decline reflects increasing Iranian capability to pressure factions and host governments to reduce support.
Iranian Strikes and Ongoing Threats
Since beginning of Israeli-American attack on Iran, Tehran regularly strikes positions of Kurdish rebels and threatens to target “all infrastructure” in Iraqi Kurdistan if fighters cross border.
Nevertheless, Rokhan Neiranda affirms that none of fighters have crossed into Iranian territory recently.
Geopolitical Context and Strategic Uncertainty
Kurdish Role in Broader Conflict
Kurdish fighters represent potential wild card in broader U.S.-Iranian conflict. Their strategic location on Iran’s borders and demonstrated military capabilities make them potentially valuable asset in American strategy.
However, American uncertainty regarding commitment and support creates hesitation among Kurdish leadership about timing major operations.
Balance Between Independence and External Support
Kurdish movements struggle with fundamental tension between desire for independence and recognition of need for external support. American commitment remains ambiguous, with Trump administration sending conflicting signals.
Iranian Pressure and Regional Dynamics
Iran maintains capacity to strike Kurdish positions from distance and continues threatening broader military response if Kurds escalate operations. This sustained threat limits Kurdish operational freedom despite current conflict.
Broader Implications for Regional Stability
Humanitarian and Political Dimensions
The situation facing Iranian Kurds combines military preparedness with political uncertainty and humanitarian concerns. Families remain separated, fighters endure prolonged separation from civilian communities.
Long-term Strategic Questions
Fundamental questions remain unresolved: whether Kurdish movements can sustain extended insurgency, whether internal Iranian dynamics will shift toward supporting regime change, and whether international support will materialize meaningfully.
Democratic Transition Prospects
Kurdish insistence on guarantees for democratic future reflects broader Middle Eastern challenge: ensuring that armed intervention and conflict result in improved governance rather than simply replacing one authoritarian system with another.
Conclusion:
The situation reflects complex intersection of multiple dynamics: continued American military operations against Iran-backed forces in Iraq, Kurdish anticipation of catalytic moment that may never arrive, and concerns about international guarantees for democratic future. Kurdish fighters sheltered in fortified positions reflect long-term commitment to resistance but with increasing caution regarding uncertain external commitments. Declining influence of Kurdish factions indicates shift in regional balances favoring Iran despite current war. The airstrike near Mosul symbolizes broader struggle for control and influence in Iraq, while Kurdish fighters wait with uncertain prospects for the popular uprising they hope will transform their political future.
