Yavuz Baydar: Trump’s Call for Kurdish Support Against Iran Raises Regional Questions
yavuz baydar
Reports that Washington may seek support from Kurdish armed groups in the escalating U.S.–Israeli confrontation with Iran have triggered intense debate among analysts and regional observers. According to recent media reports, contacts between U.S. officials and Kurdish leaders could signal a broader strategy to open a ground front against Tehran — a move that carries major implications not only for Iranian Kurdish groups but also for Iraq, Türkiye, and Kurdish politics across the region.
Reports of U.S. Outreach to Kurdish Groups
As the U.S.–Israeli war against Iran intensifies, information emerging from Washington suggests that the Kurdish dimension of the conflict may become increasingly significant.
Reports by Axios and CNN indicate that the CIA has been considering plans to arm Iranian Kurdish militant groups. At the same time, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly spoke by phone with Mustafa Hijri, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI), as well as Iraqi Kurdish leaders Masoud Barzani and Bafel Talabani.
Some observers interpret these contacts as part of a calculated psychological strategy aimed at increasing pressure on Tehran. Others view them as a sign that Washington may be searching for partners on the ground if the conflict with Iran escalates further.
A Long-Standing Strategy
For many regional analysts, the possibility that Kurdish forces might be drawn into a confrontation with Iran is not entirely new.
Israel — and later the United States — have maintained contacts with Kurdish actors across the region for years as part of broader strategic calculations regarding Iran.
With the war intensifying, the prospect of a ground dimension to the conflict appears increasingly plausible. In such a scenario, Kurdish militant groups could become a potential forward force.
Six Iranian Kurdish organizations have recently declared a form of coordination against Tehran, though PJAK — widely seen as linked to the PKK — remains outside this alignment.
Iranian Response Already Underway
Even before the media reports surfaced, Iran had begun targeting Kurdish militant groups in northern Iraq.
Following the publication of the Axios and CNN reports, attacks appear to have intensified.
According to regional sources:
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Drone strikes targeted Azadi Camp, associated with the KDPI, in Koya near Erbil.
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Additional strikes were reported in Dekala.
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The Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) was also targeted.
These developments highlight how media reports alone may already be affecting the security environment for Kurdish groups in the region.
Three Immediate Risks for Kurdish Groups
Analysts suggest that the publicity surrounding potential U.S. support for Kurdish militants carries several risks.
Operational exposure:
Once potential operations are publicly discussed, Iranian intelligence services are likely to intensify surveillance of Kurdish groups and their movement routes.
Pressure on Iraqi Kurdistan:
CNN reports indicated that weapons transfers could potentially pass through territory controlled by the Kurdistan Regional Government. Such a scenario could place Erbil directly in Iran’s crosshairs and create tensions with Baghdad over sovereignty.
Escalating IRGC pressure:
Statements by leaders of groups such as PAK declaring readiness to cooperate with the United States and Israel could further increase pressure from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps.
In this sense, the information emerging in the media may serve as a diplomatic tool to encourage Kurdish participation, while simultaneously making them more vulnerable militarily.
Iran War Raises New Concern for Ankara: PKK Enters the Equation
Kurdish Groups Remain Cautious
Despite speculation, Iranian Kurdish groups themselves appear cautious.
A recent Al-Monitor report summarized their position succinctly: they remain wary of entering the conflict without firm political guarantees.
Several Kurdish organizations have indicated that the United States cannot simply transfer operational responsibility to them without offering political backing or military support.
Furthermore, many analysts note that Kurdish armed groups alone lack the capacity to launch a decisive uprising inside Iran.
Lessons from Past U.S.–Kurdish Relations
Historical experience has also shaped Kurdish caution.
In Iraq, Kurdish authorities lost U.S. backing after the independence referendum crisis. In Syria, Kurdish-led forces faced shifting American policies during Trump’s first presidency, particularly during Turkish military operations.
Such experiences have reinforced concerns that Kurdish groups could once again find themselves caught between regional powers if the conflict escalates.
Possible Scenarios if the War Expands
Analysts outline two broad scenarios regarding Kurdish involvement in the Iran conflict.
Limited cooperation scenario:
Kurdish groups could provide limited support in exchange for political guarantees from Washington. However, deep ideological divisions among Kurdish factions — and the exclusion of groups such as PJAK — could undermine coordination.
Non-engagement scenario:
If Kurdish groups refuse to participate, Washington may either seek alternative local proxies or simply reduce engagement with Kurdish actors, leaving them politically exposed.
Implications for Kurdish Politics in Türkiye
The debate also intersects with domestic Kurdish politics in Türkiye.
Recent political developments have centered on a process emphasizing “democratic integration” rather than autonomy or federalism, with Kurdish political actors increasingly positioning themselves within Türkiye’s political framework.
In this context, a U.S. effort to mobilize Kurdish groups against Iran could complicate political dynamics in Türkiye and force Kurdish political actors to clarify their stance on regional conflicts.
A Strategic Moment for the Region
Overall, the reports suggest that Washington may be deliberately creating strategic ambiguity regarding Kurdish involvement.
Such ambiguity could:
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increase pressure on Tehran,
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test the willingness of Kurdish groups to engage in the conflict,
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and reshape regional political alignments.
At the same time, it risks exposing Kurdish actors to new security threats while complicating political balances across the Middle East.
As the Iran war deepens, the question of whether Kurdish groups will be drawn into the conflict remains one of the most sensitive and consequential issues facing the region.
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