Residents of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region say they are being pulled into a conflict they do not see as their own, as violence between Iran, Israel and the United States spills across borders. In towns near the Iranian frontier, drones and jets have become a constant presence, shaking homes and disrupting daily life.

Former Kurdish fighter Satar Barsirini, who once battled for Kurdish autonomy, said his community has already sacrificed greatly and only wants peace. He recalled how Iran sheltered Kurdish refugees during the 1991 uprising, arguing that this history makes it difficult to support attacks against Tehran now. 'This is not my war,' he said, expressing distrust toward the United States and opposition to further escalation.

Across the region, fear has spread as drone strikes and threats of retaliation unsettle civilians. Shopkeepers report empty streets, truck drivers face halted deliveries, and families worry about sudden attacks. Many residents insist that the Kurdish region, which is not an independent state, should avoid involvement in a widening regional war that could once again devastate their communities.