UAE slams Iran's attacks on Iraqi Kurds, silent on Syrian Kurds

ABU DHABI/ERBIL,— The United Arab Emirates strongly condemned Iran’s missile attacks on military sites in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, which killed and wounded dozens of Kurdish Peshmerga fighters.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs called in a statement the strikes an unprovoked act of terrorism, labeling them a dangerous escalation and a clear violation of international law.

The ministry emphasized its full support for Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government, and backed all measures to protect security, safeguard citizens, and maintain stability.

Condolences were extended to the families of the martyrs, the governments, and the people of Iraq and Kurdistan, along with wishes for a rapid recovery for those injured.

Political analysts stressed that the UAE’s condemnation is driven by regional rivalry with Iran.

Henase Karim told iKurd.net News that Tehran has repeatedly striking UAE with missiles and drones since the US-Israel conflict with Iran.

She said the UAE’s statement reflects strategic calculation, not sympathy for the Kurds, noting, “That is why the UAE condemned the attacks, it is about Iran, not about supporting the Kurdish nation, Iran is not a Sunni Arab country.”

Karim also pointed to the UAE’s silence during previous attacks on Kurds in Syrian Kurdistan. In January 2026, Islamist militias under the Syrian interim government killed Kurdish civilians in Aleppo and Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava).

She said, the UAE did not specifically condemn the Syrian government’s attacks and mass killings on the non-Muslim minorities of Druze or Alawites. Instead, the UAE’s public stance has been more aligned with defending Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Human rights organizations tracking the conflict in Syrian Kurdistan report widespread atrocities against Kurdish civilians, including mass executions, sexual violence, arbitrary detentions, and the public sharing of abuse videos on social media.

Gulf Arab media framed Kurdish SDF forces as “terrorists” and separatists, ignoring civilian casualties.

Analysts highlighted that most Arab and Islamic states rarely denounce violence against Syrian Kurds.

Some even praised Syrian president Sharra, aka Golani, militants for killing Kurds.

In response, Iraqi Kurdistan banned several Arabic channels, including Al Arabiya, Al Hadath, and Al Jazeera, citing persistent anti-Kurdish bias.

The UAE’s statement is one of the few public Arab condemnations of attacks affecting Kurdish forces, reflecting geopolitical strategy and its broader opposition to Iran rather than genuine support for Kurdish communities.

The ruling Barzani clan in Iraqi Kurdistan maintains strong ties with UAE ruler and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Reports indicate the Barzani family holds significant investments in the UAE, reinforcing the political and economic links behind the UAE’s stance.