Iraqi-Kurdish War

The Iraqi-Kurdish War was an attempt by Iraqi Kurdistan to gain independence from the Republic of Iraq following a referendum that resulted in a majority voting for secession. In response, the central government of Iraq declared the beginning of "Operation Euphrates Shield" to reintegrate the region into Iraq. In addition to the Armed Forces of Iraq, the Iraqi Federal Police, and the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), the Iraqi government received support in their operations from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (in the form of military advisors and special forces units), as well as air support from the Russian Air Force and the Syrian Arab Air Force. It is claimed by the governments of Iraq and Iran that Israel and the United States provided covert support to the Kurdish separatists, although they officially deny it.