Korean media: Kurds may become an internal "game-changer" shaking Iran: What is Trump's plan?

Foreign media reported on the 4th (local time) that Iraqi Kurdish combat forces have crossed the Iranian border and entered ground operations. Analysts believe that due to concerns about the war becoming prolonged, the Trump administration, which is unwilling to directly deploy ground troops, may try to use the power of the Kurds to shake the Iranian regime from within. The extent of Kurdish involvement is expected to be a key variable in determining the success or failure of this American "epic fury" operation.

On the same day, Fox News cited several U.S. government officials who reported that thousands of Kurdish combatants had crossed into Iran from Iraq and begun ground attacks. Israel's Jerusalem Post stated that "hundreds of Kurdish combatants crossed the border into Iran." According to Fox News, a significant portion of these combatants are Iranian Kurds who have lived in Iraq for years and are now entering the northwest region of Iran as part of this attack operation.

Officials from the Kurdish Freedom Party (PAK), active in the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan in northern Iraq, told AFP on the same day, "The U.S. requested our support. We have contacted the U.S. authorities regarding the ground operation." Israel has also not denied cooperation with the Kurds. An Israeli government official said, "We are supporting Kurdish militias," and stated that the goal of the support is to allow the militias to control parts of Iran, thereby triggering a broader uprising.

The White House admitted to having contact with the Kurds but denied involvement in the military operation. White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt said at a press conference on the same day, "President Trump called Kurdish leaders regarding the issue of U.S. bases in northern Iraq." However, she denied reports that the U.S. supported Kurdish combat operations, stating, "It is not true that the President agreed to such a plan."

It is reported that Trump contacted important Kurdish leaders Masoud Barzani and Barzani Talabani. The New York Times reported that Trump asked them to allow Iranian Kurdish fighters stationed in Iraq to enter Iran. The New York Times also reported that "the CIA has secretly provided small arms to Kurdish forces to destabilize the Iranian system before this war."

However, there are claims denying that the Kurds have already launched ground operations against Iran. The deputy secretary of the Kurdistan Regional Government's office in Iraq stated, "No Iraqi Kurdish person has crossed the border." The New York Times also cited sources saying, "The White House has not decided whether to send Kurds to Iran, and this decision is not made unilaterally by Israel or the U.S., but is judged by the Kurdish leadership themselves."

After the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, although the Kurds did not establish an independent country, they have been scattered in the border areas of four Middle Eastern countries: Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Syria. This nation, with a population of 30 to 40 million people, has always pursued self-rule and independence. Most are Sunni Muslims, but they have diverse political, religious, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds. During the civil wars in Iraq and Syria, Kurdish forces were important allies of the U.S. and played a significant role in the fight against ISIS, proving their combat effectiveness. Iranian Kurds have long been oppressed by the government and are considered an important component of anti-Iranian forces.

Therefore, if the Kurds truly launch ground operations against Iran, it could have a major impact on the current war situation. Some analysts believe that Trump is trying to reduce the burden of sending U.S. ground troops directly by introducing Kurdish forces, which is a "using others to kill" strategy.

If Kurdish forces launch armed uprisings in Iran, the Iranian army would have to disperse its forces. Currently, Iran is focusing on responding to air strikes by the U.S. and Israel and protecting key facilities. If another front appears, it will face greater pressure. If the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and regular forces are tied down on the western front, the defense capabilities of the capital Tehran and central core cities will be relatively weakened.

Although the military capability of the Kurds to overthrow the Iranian regime alone is considered limited, they may become a "game-changer" capable of disrupting the core of the regime and maximizing internal chaos. CNN pointed out, "Among the numerous fragmented and lack of unified anti-government groups inside Iran, the Kurds are not only the most organized but also the Kurdish militias have considerable combat experience. If Kurdish people in Iran and Iraq join the war against Iran, real ground warfare may begin."

Iran has issued strong warnings to Kurdish forces. On the 3rd, Iran attacked the headquarters of the joint body "Kurdistan Political Forces Alliance," composed of multiple Kurdish anti-government factions located in Iraq, with missiles. On the 4th, it fired three missiles at the Kurdistan headquarters.

Source: Central Daily

Original: toutiao.com/article/1859155515102284/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.