Iran: Will Kurdish forces be the US' 'boots on the ground?'

"I think it's wonderful that they want to do that, I'd be all for it. According to unconfirmed reports, Trump has already spoken with several Kurdish leaders in recent days. There is also speculation that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) may have been supplying weapons to Kurdish groups for months."

"The Kurds are among the largest stateless ethnic groups in the world. They number roughly 30 million and are scattered across Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey. They speak their own language, with several dialects, and most are Sunni Muslims. About 9 million Kurds live in Iran, mainly in a stretch of land along the country's western borders."

"It has become clear to the parties involved that their goals cannot be achieved from the air alone. This raises the classic question of so-called boots on the ground. US officials have repeatedly said that they do not want to become involved in a ground war."

Trump publicly stated support for Iranian Kurdish forces based in Iraq attacking Iran's government, calling it "wonderful." Reports suggest Trump has contacted Kurdish leaders, and there is speculation the CIA may have supplied weapons to Kurdish groups, though the White House denies this. Kurds, numbering roughly 30 million across Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey, are a stateless ethnic group with their own language and predominantly Sunni Muslim faith. Approximately 9 million Kurds live in Iran along its western borders, with a history of grievances against both the Islamic Republic and previous monarchy. Many Iranian Kurds have fled to Iraq to escape repression. Iraqi Kurds govern a semiautonomous northern region, and some Iranian Kurds seek similar autonomy. Middle East experts note that military goals cannot be achieved through air operations alone, raising questions about ground forces involvement.

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