Kurdish armed groups based in Iraq have launched a ground offensive against Iranian regime forces, according to an official from the Coalition of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan (CPFIK).

The official said fighters affiliated with the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) began taking combat positions inside Iranian territory on Monday, March 2, The Caspian Post reports, citing i24NEWS.

“The ground military movements by Kurdish forces against Iran have already started since the midnight of March 2,” the CPFIK official said.

He added that Iranian forces evacuated the border city of Mariwan on March 3 and started establishing defensive positions in and around the area.

According to the official, PJAK fighters have moved into positions in the southern mountains surrounding Mariwan in western Iran. Thousands of Kurdish fighters are reportedly already deployed across Iran’s mountainous regions, particularly deep inside the Zagros Mountains.

The developments come amid media reports suggesting Washington may consider Kurdish groups as potential partners in efforts to increase pressure on the Iranian government.

CNN previously reported that the CIA is exploring plans to arm Kurdish forces with the aim of encouraging a popular uprising inside Iran.