Iraq Kurds accuse Iran of cross-border shelling

Reuters: Kurdish authorities in northern Iraq accused Iran on Friday of launching shells across the border, causing damage to farmland but no injuries. SULAIMANIYA, Iraq, Aug 24 (Reuters) – Kurdish authorities in northern Iraq accused Iran on Friday of launching shells across the border, causing damage to farmland but no injuries.

“Yesterday there was shelling of villages on the border with Iran near Penjwin,” said Jabar Yawar, spokesman for Peshmerga Kurdish forces, referring to a border town east of Sulaimaniya, the main city in eastern Kurdistan, Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region.

“There were no casualties but farms and trees were burned,” he said.

Iraq’s Kurdish leaders have complained about cross-border shelling from Iran since Aug. 16. The Iraqi side of the border area is believed to be home to Kurdish PJAK militants seeking autonomy for Kurdish regions of Iran.