Massive Land Cruiser purchases in Erbil: are the Kurds preparing for operations?

As tension becomes increasingly palpable in northern Iraq – caught between pressure from the United States and threats from Iran – the owner of a car dealership in the city of Erbil told CNN one Iranian Kurdish militia bought 50 Toyota Land Cruiser LC71 in one go.

CNN agreed not to disclose the name of the group to safeguard the dealer’s identity.

The curious purchase took place on Tuesday, the same day CNN revealed the CIA was working to arm Iranian Kurdish forces, ahead of a potential ground offensive in Western Iran.

CNN could not confirm what the intended purpose of the purchase was but the model in question is a four-wheel-drive and well suited to rough terrain.

The border between Iraq and Iran is located in a remote mountainous region.

The Toyota Land Cruiser is a very popular vehicle choice in Iraq.