US and Israel Back Kurdish Groups in Potential Offensive Against Iran

As the conflict between the US and Israel with Iran escalates, reports indicate that Iranian-Kurdish militias are planning an offensive into Iran, receiving support from both Israel and, potentially, the United States. The potential offensive aims to exploit the current instability and target Iranian border towns.

Israeli Support for Kurdish Militias

According to three sources familiar with the discussions, Israel has been conducting airstrikes in western Iran to bolster Iranian-Kurdish militias hoping to capitalize on the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran to seize territory near the border (Irish Times). These talks between Israel and the militias have been ongoing for approximately a year (Irish Times).

The initial objective of the Kurdish factions is to seize Iranian territory along the border, with specific targets including the towns of Oshnavieh and Piranshahr (Irish Times).

US Involvement and Kurdish Plans

US President Donald Trump has publicly expressed support for a potential Kurdish incursion into Iran, stating it would be “wonderful” if they crossed the border (Reuters). Trump has reportedly spoken with Iraqi Kurdish leaders to discuss collaboration in light of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran (The Independent).

Reports suggest the CIA is preparing to arm Kurdish forces to incite an uprising against the Iranian government (The Independent). A ground operation in western Iran involving Kurdish militias is anticipated in the coming days, with potential aid from both US and Israeli support (The Independent).

The plan involves Kurdish militants attacking Iranian security forces, potentially triggering wider unrest and diverting Iranian military resources (The Independent). There is also discussion of establishing a buffer zone in northern Iran for Israel (The Independent).

Iranian Response and Regional Implications

Iran has already begun operations targeting Iranian and Iraqi Kurdish groups in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq, referring to them as “anti-Iran separatist forces” (Al Jazeera). These strikes involve missile attacks on Kurdish positions (Al Jazeera).

Kurdish forces, operating along the Iraq-Iran border, have historically opposed the Islamic Republic and represent an ethnic minority group without a state (The Independent).

Which Kurdish Groups are Involved?

US President Donald Trump has engaged in discussions with at least three Kurdish groups in Iran and Iraq in recent days (Al Jazeera).