The Times of Israel Daily Briefing Gallia Lindenstrauss: Iran war reaches Kurds, Turkey, and Azerbaijan
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Mar 13, 2026 Gallia Lindenstrauss, senior research fellow and Turkey specialist, breaks down how the Iran war has spilled into the north. She maps strikes on Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iraqi Kurdistan and attacks touching Cyprus. Short takes explore Kurdish factions, Turkey-Iran ties, Azerbaijan’s balancing act, and evolving Israel-Cyprus-Greece cooperation.
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Kurds Offer Psychological Pressure Not Regime Collapse
- Using Iranian Kurds as a frontline tactic is mainly psychological and limited operationally.
- Bombardments suggest preparation, but Kurds' few-thousand fighters and lack of widespread backing limit a regime-toppling campaign.
Iraqi Kurdish Support For Insurgency Is Unlikely
- Iraqi Kurdish parties are unlikely to openly support Iranian Kurdish insurgents.
- The PUK has strong Iranian influence and Iraqi Kurdistan has already endured heavy Iranian strikes, making assistance risky.
Israel's Kurdish Ties Have Been Selective And Secretive
- Israel's historic ties vary across Kurdish groups with secretive elements in the past.
- Israel backed Barzani-era KDP efforts historically, but open-source links with Iranian Kurds are unconfirmed.