ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – At least six Peshmerga were killed and 30 others injured in an Iranian ballistic missile attack on the forces’ bases in Erbil province’s Soran administration early Tuesday morning, the Peshmerga ministry announced, condemning it as “a hostile act and treachery.”

“The headquarters of the 7th Infantry Division of Area Command 1 and a force of the 5th Infantry Division of the Peshmerga forces in Soran, in a hostile act and treachery and far from all humanitarian and neighborly behavior, were subjected to an attack by six Iranian ballistic missiles,” read a statement from the ministry.

The ministry strongly condemned the “terrorist attack,” while stressing that they have the right to repel any acts of aggression targeting the Kurdistan Region and its people.

“We did not expect such a cowardly response to the peaceful position of the Kurdistan Region. But the life of treachery and oppression is short and the will to make peace will prevail.”

The ministry extended condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, while reiterating calls on the Iraqi federal government and the international community to take a stance against these repeated violations.

“Once again, we call on all parties to keep the Kurdistan Region away from the fighting and chaos, and we call on the federal government, the international community, and all our friends not to remain silent against these violations and put an end to these indifferent aggressions,” the statement concluded.

The Peshmerga ministry’s Area Command 1 announced in an earlier statement that their headquarters was targeted by two missile attacks overnight.

The first attack involved five missiles and resulted in no casualties, the command said, while the subsequent attack consisted of a single missile that struck the outskirts of Kalakeen village. Casualties from the second strike were not immediately disclosed.

No party has claimed responsibility for the Tuesday attack as of the time of writing this article.

Pro-Iran Iraqi militias have claimed dozens of attacks on the Kurdistan Region since the start of the Iran war, under the pretext of targeting American positions. The Peshmerga ministry has condemned the attacks by “outlaw groups,” and described the developments as “internal transgressions.”

Earlier in March, Two Peshmerga bases in Erbil and Sulaimani were subjected to drone attacks that resulted in the injury of at least three fighters.

Kurdish authorities have held the Iraqi government responsible for holding the perpetrators accountable.

Many of the Iran-backed factions responsible for the attacks enjoy legal status within Iraq due to their official incorporation into the state security apparatus as part of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).

In a previous presser, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani stated that the Iraqi government is “responsible” for stopping the attacks, because a part of them “get their salaries from the federal government, and are armed and funded” by Baghdad.