Kurdish Fighters Weigh Demands Before Joining Potential U.S.-Israel Front Against Iran
Brussels – Kurdish groups are seeking firm guarantees regarding their future rights within Iran before considering joining a potential U.S.-Israel military campaign against Tehran, according to a spokesperson for the Kurdistan National Congress (KNC). Nilufer Koc, spokesperson for the KNC’s Foreign Relations Committee, expressed skepticism about a recent U.S. proposal to enlist Kurdish fighters, emphasizing the need for assurances that any future Iranian government will recognize Kurdish rights.
“The U.S. government talks about bringing down the Islamic Republic of Iran. But for us, the bigger question is: what will replace the current state of Iran? Will the next regime recognise the rights of the Kurdish people?” Koc asked in a phone interview with The Hindu.
The KNC, a coalition representing Kurdish groups and diaspora communities, views the U.S. approach as echoing a “colonial” mindset, particularly given the lack of prior consultation with Kurdish representatives. Koc referenced the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, where Kurdish support was sought without long-term commitments to their political and cultural aspirations.
For decades, Kurdish communities across Iran, Turkey, Syria, and Iraq have faced systemic denial of political and cultural rights. Within Iran, Kurds have long sought greater autonomy and recognition of their language and heritage. Koc highlighted the importance of educational rights, specifically the ability to use the Kurdish language, as a fundamental human right. She criticized the imposition of Persian as the dominant language, calling it a form of “Persianisation” that threatens Kurdish identity.
“Fighting is nothing new for us,” Koc stated, acknowledging the ongoing armed struggles for Kurdish rights in multiple countries. “The question is will the future political dispensation of Iran allow education in mother tongue…that is a very important issue for us.”
The potential involvement of Kurdish fighters also raises concerns about regional stability, particularly regarding Turkey. In early 2025, Turkey initiated dialogue with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), seeking the release of Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan, who has been imprisoned since 1999. Activating a Kurdish front in a wider conflict could complicate these ongoing negotiations.
Koc acknowledged the importance of Ocalan’s release and expressed frustration with the slow pace of constitutional changes in Turkey. While Kurdish interests are paramount, she emphasized the need for a broader dialogue with the U.S. to ensure any involvement in a conflict with Iran aligns with long-term Kurdish goals.
Iran currently recognizes the Kurdish language and has a Kurdistan province, but Koc insists Tehran must allow for greater use of the language and respect Kurdish history and heritage. The KNC believes that genuine democratization across the region is essential to securing lasting rights for the Kurdish people.
Published – March 16, 2026 12:48 am IST