The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said its forces had neutralized a “terrorist cell” in Salmas near the Turkish border.
The IRGC issued a statement announcing that its ground forces tasked with protecting the border triangle with Turkey and the Kurdistan region of Iraq “neutralized a terrorist cell after intelligence monitoring.”
The statement explained that the cell intended to enter the country and carry out sabotage acts, but the officers of Hamza Sayyid al-Shuhada base in the border area, ambushed it ahead of the attack.
“The cell was destroyed,” the statement asserted, noting that the IRGC officers confiscated equipment and ammunition.
The statement asserted “no losses” for the Revolutionary Guards without referring to the timing of the clashes.
On Friday, the Hengaw website for human rights violations in Iran reported that at least four Revolutionary Guards members were killed in armed confrontations with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
The Kurdish website pointed out that the clash occurred Thursday evening in the mountains of Salmas.
The report said at least four IRGC members were killed in the clashes and taken to hospital in Salmas.
Armed factions loyal to the Iranian-Kurdish opposition are active in the area between Iran, Turkey, and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Usually, the region witnesses bloody confrontations between the IRGC and parties that say they are fighting for Kurdish national rights.
Last May, an IRGC artillery fire hit an area north of Erbil, targeting what Iranian state television described as “terrorist” bases.
In March, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards launched about ten ballistic missiles at the capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region in an unprecedented attack aimed at the US and its allies.