Politics / India
India politics page with daily media monitoring across NDTV, ANI, PTI and Times of India, structured summaries of domestic political developments and a country-level press overview.
Iran War News | Who Are The Kurds? Will They Lead Next Phase Of War In Iran?
Summary
The Kurdish people have faced significant challenges in their pursuit of autonomy since the end of World War I, particularly following the partitioning of their territories by the Treaty of Lusain in 1923. Despite their population of around 30 million, they have endured persecution and oppression across multiple countries in the region.
The PKK, classified as a terrorist group by several nations, has engaged in a prolonged conflict resulting in thousands of deaths. Recent announcements from the PKK indicate plans to disband and disarm, which could potentially bring decades of conflict with Turkey to an end.
Saddam Hussein's regime inflicted severe violence against the Kurds, including chemical attacks that killed thousands. The US has alternately supported and withdrawn support from Kurdish forces during critical conflicts, leading to significant consequences for the Kurdish population.
The establishment of a no-fly zone in northern Iraq allowed for a brief period of Kurdish autonomy, but this was short-lived as US support waned. The Kurdish Peshmerga forces have been pivotal in fighting against ISIS, yet have faced abandonment by the US in subsequent political shifts.
Perspectives
short
Kurdish Autonomy Advocates
- Highlight historical aspirations for a Kurdish homeland since the end of World War I
- Emphasize the ongoing struggle against oppression and the quest for self-determination
- Point out the impact of international politics on Kurdish autonomy efforts
Opponents of Kurdish Independence
- Classify the PKK as a terrorist organization, complicating Kurdish autonomy efforts
- Argue that Kurdish aspirations threaten regional stability and national integrity
- Cite historical betrayals by international allies as a reason for skepticism towards Kurdish claims
Neutral / Shared
- Acknowledge the complex web of international alliances affecting Kurdish movements
- Recognize the fluctuating nature of US support for Kurdish forces over the decades
Metrics
population
around 30 million people
total estimated Kurdish population
Understanding the size of the Kurdish population highlights their significance in regional politics.
Around 30 million Kurds in Havitor Mountain as region
deaths
5,000 people
chemical attacks against Kurdish civilians
This figure highlights the severe human cost of the conflict.
He killed an estimated 5,000 people.
Key entities
Timeline highlights
00:00–05:00
The Kurdish people have faced significant challenges in their pursuit of autonomy since the end of World War I, particularly following the partitioning of their territories by the Treaty of Lusain in 1923. Despite their population of around 30 million, they have endured persecution and oppression across multiple countries in the region.
- After World War I, the Kurdish people believed they were close to establishing their own homeland, especially following the Treaty of Severus in 1920. However, the emergence of a new democratic Turkey and the Treaty of Lusain in 1923 partitioned Kurdish territories among Turkey, Iraq, and Syria, shattering their dream of autonomy
- Over the past century, Kurds have faced persecution and oppression across Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Syria, often under regimes that curtailed their cultural and political rights. The Kurdish population, estimated at around 30 million, primarily resides in the Havitor Mountain region, making them the fourth largest ethnic group in the Middle East
- A short-lived Kurdish kingdom in modern-day Iraq was crushed in 1924 with British assistance. Later, the Iranian regime suppressed the Mahb-e-Ada Republic in North Western Iran, executing its elected president and other leaders
- In the 1970s, the US covertly funded Kurdish Peshmerga fighters in Iraq to destabilize Saddam Husseins regime. This support ended abruptly in 1975 when Saddam made a peace deal with Iran, leading to a severe crackdown on Kurdish rebels
05:00–10:00
The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, has been involved in a prolonged conflict resulting in significant casualties. Recent developments indicate a potential disbandment of the PKK, which could alter the dynamics of Kurdish autonomy in the region.
- The PKK, classified as a terrorist group by the US, EU, and UK, continued its guerrilla warfare, resulting in thousands of deaths. In 2025, the PKK announced plans to disband and disarm, potentially ending decades of conflict with Turkey
- In 1988, Saddam Hussein launched chemical attacks against Kurdish civilians, killing an estimated 5,000 people. The US supported the Kurds during the Gulf War in 1990, encouraging them to revolt against Saddam
- Following the Gulf War, a no-fly zone was established over northern Iraq, allowing for the creation of an autonomous Kurdish zone. However, this autonomy was short-lived as the US withdrew support, leading to brutal retribution from the Iraqi army against Kurdish fighters
- In 2014, the US partnered with Kurdish Peshmerga forces to combat ISIS in Iraq. The US also trained and armed the YPG, a Syrian Kurdish militia, during the Syrian civil war, which became a key component of the Syrian Democratic Forces
- Despite initial support, the US turned away from the YPG when it backed the new Syrian government under President Ahmad Al-Sharah in December 2024. This shift led to the recognition of Kurdish rights by the Syrian government