Thousands of US-backed Iraqi Kurdish forces have reportedly launched a ground offensive in Iran in what would mark a massive escalation of tensions in the Middle East. A US official told Fox News this evening that thousands of Iraqi Kurds have launched a ground offensive in Iran.

The report comes after sources told CNN that the CIA was working to arm Kurdish forces with the aim of sparking a popular uprising in Iran. Kurdish officials also told i24NEWS that Kurdish forces were making a move from bordering Iraq. An official from the Coalition of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan (CPFIK) told i24News: “The ground military movements by Kurdish forces against Iran have already started since the midnight of March 2.”

The official also added that Iranian forces evacuated the border city of Mariwan on March 3 to begin establishing defensive positions. Reports from Israel are also suggestind Kurdish forces have engaged their Iranian counterparts. Chief political analyst Amit Segal said: “Israeli officials confirm that Kurdish forces have engaged Iranian forces.”

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