Which Kurdish groups is the US rallying to fight Iran?

The conflict between Israel and Iran has escalated, expanding across the Middle East. Israel launched fresh attacks on Tehran, while Iran claimed responsibility for strikes targeting Kurdish groups in Iraq, accusing them of opposing the Iranian revolution. These strikes against Kurdish groups in Iraq reportedly killed a member of an exiled Iranian Kurdish group. Israel also conducted strikes on Beirut, reportedly killing a Hamas official. The conflict has drawn in other nations, with NATO air defenses intercepting an Iranian ballistic missile fired towards Turkey, although Iran later denied firing any missiles. The US is considering arming Kurdish militias to infiltrate Iran, and a British warship is deploying to Cyprus.

On March 5, 2026, Iranian forces launched attacks targeting Kurdish groups in Iraq's semi-autonomous region, coinciding with a new wave of missile and drone strikes against Israel and U.S. assets. The attacks are part of a larger regional war that began six days prior. Iran's Press TV reported the military was targeting "anti-Iran separatist forces," while the intelligence ministry stated they targeted groups intending to enter Iran through western borders, claiming cooperation with "noble Kurds" to thwart an "Israeli-American" plan. The strikes in Iraq targeted the Kurdistan Toilers Association (Komala) headquarters. These attacks occurred amid reports of Iranian Kurdish groups consulting with the U.S. about potential attacks on Iranian forces.

On March 5, 2026, Iran denied Turkish claims that it fired a ballistic missile towards Turkish airspace. Turkiye's Defence Ministry stated that a missile launched from Iran, after passing through Syrian and Iraqi airspace, was intercepted by NATO air and missile defense systems over the eastern Mediterranean. According to Turkiye, the missile was heading towards Turkish airspace, but caused no casualties. Iran's Armed Forces insisted they respect Turkiye's sovereignty and did not launch any missiles. Turkiye has warned against escalating the conflict and reserves the right to respond to hostile actions, while consulting with NATO allies and issuing warnings to prevent future incidents.

On March 4, 2026, a ballistic missile fired from Iran was destroyed by NATO air defenses over the Mediterranean Sea as it approached Turkish airspace after traversing Iraq and Syria. The Turkish Ministry of National Defence reported the incident, stating that the missile was intercepted before entering Turkish territory, causing no casualties. Turkey has protested to Iran, warning against escalating the conflict, and NATO condemned Iran's actions, reaffirming its support for Turkey. The missile's intended target remains unknown. The United States Defence Secretary stated that the event is not expected to trigger NATO's Article 5.

A ballistic missile launched from Iran towards Turkish airspace via Iraq and Syria was intercepted and destroyed by NATO air defense systems on Wednesday. Turkish officials reported the incident, stating the missile was engaged and neutralized over the eastern Mediterranean. While the intended target remains unspecified by the defense ministry, one official claimed it was aimed at a base in Greek Cyprus but strayed off course. Fragments of the interceptor missile fell in the Dortyol district of southern Turkey, near the Syrian border. No casualties were reported as a result of the incident.

In March 2026, debris from a NATO missile interception landed in Turkish waters. The debris originated from a missile launched by Iran, which Ankara condemned. According to reports, the Iranian ballistic missile was intercepted by NATO forces as it approached Turkish airspace. The missile's trajectory reportedly took it over Iraq and Syria before the interception. The incident has prompted discussion regarding regional security and NATO's role in intercepting ballistic missiles.

Airstrikes have targeted military and police positions along the Iran-Iraq border amid reports of a potential US-Israeli plan to mobilize Kurdish fighters against Iran. US officials have reportedly expressed readiness to provide air support if Kurdish Peshmerga cross the border from northern Iraq. Kurdish Iranian dissident groups based in Iraq are allegedly preparing for a cross-border operation, with US support sought. Baloch militant groups have also reportedly moved into Iran from Pakistan. These actions follow increased clandestine operations in northwestern Iran after the recent conflict between Iran and Israel, with the aim of weakening Iranian capabilities and potentially destabilizing the regime.

Amidst the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran, the Trump administration is reportedly in talks with Kurdish opposition groups to potentially arm them and incite an uprising within Iran. According to media reports, the CIA has a history of working with Kurdish groups in the region, including funding and training fighters in Iraq and Syria. Kurdish rebels have long opposed Tehran, conducting attacks in Iran's Kurdistan province. Analysts warn that such a plan could further destabilize Iran and may not be well-integrated into a broader strategy. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has also targeted Kurdish positions in western Iran during the conflict.