In the escalating US-Israeli military operation against Iran—designated Operation Epic Fury by the United States and Operation Roaring Lion by Israel—strikes have broadened to encompass a wide arc of military, security, and intelligence sites in Iran’s Kurdish-majority western provinces. As of March 2, local Kurdish and Iranian reports indicate hits across multiple cities and border areas, focusing primarily on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) positions, Basij bases, police facilities, and border guard units. These actions align with broader efforts to degrade regime control mechanisms, including internal security forces used for protest suppression and border operations.
The targeted Kurdish belt includes key population centers and strategic border zones, where the regime has historically maintained heavy security presence amid longstanding tensions with local Kurdish communities.
Key Affected areas and reported targets
- Javanrud (Kermanshah Province): Ansar al-Rasul Brigade of the IRGC Ground Forces.
- Mariwan (Kurdistan Province): IRGC base in the city center, along with military and intelligence sites.
- Dizli border villages (Kurdistan Province): IRGC bases and positions in the border area.
- Sanandaj (Kurdistan Province, provincial capital): Imam Ali base tied to the Beit al-Moqaddas Corps, main intelligence headquarters, police command headquarters, airport/airfield area, and related security facilities. Footage from the area shows massive explosions and smoke rising over the city.
- Mahabad (West Azerbaijan Province): Central intelligence headquarters.
- Kamyaran (Kurdistan Province): IRGC missile bases nearby and Police Station No. 11.
- Ravansar (Kermanshah Province): IRGC headquarters.
- Kermanshah (Kermanshah Province): Basij base in Ta’avon Township, along with other IRGC and missile-related sites.
- Urmia (West Azerbaijan Province): West Azerbaijan Provincial Border Guard facilities and a reported educational center.
- Mehran (Ilam Province): Mehran Border Regiment headquarters.
- Paveh and Piranshahr (Kermanshah and West Azerbaijan Provinces): Strikes reported, though exact sites remain unclear in some accounts.
These locations form part of the IRGC’s western command structure, including units responsible for border security and internal repression. Reports from Kurdish media and on-the-ground sources highlight strikes on facilities linked to the suppression of Kurdish dissent, including operations against border couriers (kulbars).
The broader conflict, now in its early days, has involved extensive strikes nationwide, with confirmed regime leadership losses—including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—and retaliatory Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting US bases, Israel, and regional allies. Casualty figures in Iran exceed 555 according to the Red Crescent, with risks of civilian impact in densely populated areas like Sanandaj.
