US President Donald Trump says he would support an Iranian Kurdish offensive into Iran, as Tehran strikes Kurdish groups in Iraq.
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said he would approve of an offensive by Iranian Kurdish fighters into Iran.
Trump made the statement in support of the ongoing US-Israeli war against the Islamic republic.
“I think it’s wonderful that they want to do that, I’d be all for it,” Trump told Reuters. He declined to say if the United States would provide air cover to the Kurdish forces.
Since the war launched on Saturday, Iran has been striking Iranian Kurdish groups based in autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan. Tehran accuses these groups of serving Western and Israeli interests.
Several Iranian Kurdish groups back fighting for greater autonomy within Iran. This stance angers the Iranian government and many opposition factions, including monarchists who insist on territorial integrity.
While historically having less friction with the state than Kurds in neighbouring countries, Iranian Kurds form some of Iran’s rare armed and organized opposition groups. Experts say they could potentially help special forces infiltrate and destabilize Iran.