Israel has been bombing parts of western Iran to support Iranian Kurdish militias who hope to exploit the US-Israeli war on Iran to seize towns near the frontier, according to three sources familiar with Israel's talks with the factions. The notion of an offensive by Iranian Kurdish forces based in Iraq gained attention on Friday when US President Donald Trump told Reuters it would be "wonderful" if they crossed the border.
A Kurdish insurgency could have serious consequences for Iran as it defends itself against the air campaign. The militias have consulted with the US about how and whether to attack Iran's security forces, Reuters has reported. Israel has been holding its own talks with Iranian Kurdish insurgent groups based in the semi-autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan for around a year, two Iranian Kurdish sources said, while an Israeli source said talks had been "long-term."
The two Iranian Kurdish sources have direct knowledge of the armed dissident groups and the source from Israel has direct knowledge of its engagement with them. All spoke on condition of anonymity. Israel's government and the Israeli military did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and Israel has not commented publicly on such engagement during the current war. An initial goal of the Kurdish factions would be seizing Iranian territory along the border, the three sources said. One of the Kurdish sources said their aim was to seize the towns of Oshnavieh and Piranshahr, among others. (Read More)
