Kurdish Struggle Gains Relevance Amid Geopolitical Shifts

Source: The post Kurdish Struggle Gains Relevance Amid Geopolitical Shifts has been created, based on the article “Amidst regional ferment, Kurds’ quest for statehood” published in “The Hindu” on 25 April 2025.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations

Context: West Asia is undergoing significant geopolitical shifts. Amidst these changes, the century-old Kurdish struggle for statehood has gained fresh relevance. The weakening of key regional powers and evolving international alliances have created new possibilities — and new uncertainties — for the Kurdish people.

Kurdish Identity and Historical Struggle

1. A Stateless Majority: The Kurds are the world’s largest ethnic group without a nation-state, numbering between 35 to 45 million. They mainly reside in Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria, with significant diaspora in Europe. Despite internal sub-divisions, a shared history, language, and geography form their collective identity.
2. Distinct Ethnic and Religious Roots: Kurds are ethnically distinct from Turks, Arabs, and Persians. While mostly Sunni Muslims, they also share links with Yezidis, Alevi, and Zoroastrians. Their ancestry ties back to the Old Mediterranean and Caucasian stock.
3. Legacy of Betrayals and Suppression: The 1920 Treaty of Sevres promised Kurdish autonomy, but Turkey reversed it. Since then, Kurds have been repressed. For example, in 1994, a Kurdish MP was jailed for 15 years just for speaking Kurdish in Parliament.

National Repression and Resistance Movements

1. Turkey’s Long Conflict with the PKK: Ankara’s repression led to the creation of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in 1978. The armed conflict has claimed around 37,000 lives. Recent developments include a PKK ceasefire and Turkey’s $20 billion development plan for Kurdish regions. However, political integration is still pending.
2. Syria’s Civil War and the Rise of SDF: Syria’s conflict enabled the formation of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), backed by the U.S. The SDF now controls nearly 40% of Syria and signed a deal for integration into Syria’s political structure. However, Turkey opposes the SDF, linking it to the PKK.
3. Iraqi Kurdistan’s Fragile Autonomy: Iraq’s Kurdish region gained autonomy in 1992 and constitutional recognition post-2003. A 2017 independence referendum received 92% support but was rejected by Iraq’s Supreme Court. Ongoing disputes over oil exports and Turkish and Iranian military actions threaten its stability.

Iranian Kurds and Subtle Repression

1. Cultural Links with Persians: Iranian Kurds share ethnic and historical links with Persians. While the regime has not used extreme violence, it firmly opposes Kurdish separatism. Kurdish loyalty has often been questioned during wars, fueling Persianisation and marginalisation.
2. Geopolitical Faultlines and Future Risks: Iranian Kurds live along volatile borders. With Iran weakened and facing external military threats, its Kurdish population — the largest minority — may see an opportunity to seek autonomy or secession.

Current Prospects and Persistent Challenges

1. Proto-States but No Unified Vision: Kurdish autonomous regions in Iraq and Syria signal progress, but Kurds lack a unifying ideology like Zionism or a coordinated transnational movement. This fragmentation limits their ability to pursue a shared statehood vision.
2. The Role of Global and Regional Powers: Any Kurdish state would depend heavily on Western support. But as seen with Israel, such externally created states may face strong regional opposition. Whether Kurdistan can root itself securely remains uncertain.
3. An Unsettled Future: The fate of Kurds remains precarious. Their age-old wisdom captures it well: “Kurds have no friends except the mountains.” Amid shifting alliances and weakened regimes, their dream persists — but so do the obstacles.

Question for practice:

Examine the historical and geopolitical factors that have shaped the Kurdish struggle for statehood in West Asia.