politics
March 29, 2026
The Kurdish Ground Force Preparing to Fight in Iran
The Peshmerga on the Iraq-Iran border are eager to join the American campaign. They’re also deeply uneasy about where it might lead.
TL;DR
- Kurdish rebel groups, such as PJAK, are based near the Iran-Iraq border and are prepared to fight against the Iranian regime.
- These groups see a potential ground invasion of Iran as an opportunity for liberation, but face significant risks and uncertainties.
- External powers like the U.S. and Turkey have complex and sometimes conflicting interests regarding Kurdish involvement, impacting potential support.
- Internal divisions within the Iranian opposition, particularly regarding Kurdish separatism, create additional challenges.
- The historical context of Kurdish struggles against the Iranian regime highlights decades of conflict, including past attempts at self-rule and ongoing violence.
- Recent protests in Iran, sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, have fostered some solidarity between Kurds and the broader Iranian population.
- Despite eagerness, many within the Kurdish movement express caution, fearing that an armed intervention could provoke severe retaliation from the Iranian regime and destabilize the region.
- Some Kurdish factions advocate for internal Iranian forces to lead the charge, suggesting a phased approach that begins with strikes and establishes order after regime collapse.
Continue reading the original article