Kurdish Militias Train with US Amid Iran Conflict

Amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, Iraqi Kurdish militias are reportedly receiving training from United States forces in preparation for potential operations against Iran. This development follows public encouragement from US President Donald Trump, who has suggested that Kurdish forces could launch attacks inside Iranian territory if they choose to do so. A recently released video appears to show American troops actively training Kurdish fighters.

Simultaneously, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced plans to deploy new weapons and undertake additional initiatives to counter what it describes as aggression from Israel and the United States.

On Friday, 6 March, Israel reported initiating a series of strikes targeting various strategic infrastructures in Tehran. In response, Iran has conducted retaliatory attacks across multiple cities in the Gulf region. Qatari authorities confirmed that Iranian drones struck the Al Udeid Air Base under cover of night, one of the United States’ largest military installations in the Middle East. No casualties were reported from the strike.

At the ‘Raisina Dialogues’ conference in Delhi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh stated that Tehran is engaged in a struggle for its very survival and would respond to any attacks originating from anywhere.

President Trump also commented on the possibility of Iraqi Kurdish forces conducting cross-border operations into Iran, stating, “If they want to do that, it would be very good. I certainly support it.” Following last week’s airstrike that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Trump suggested that the United States might have a role in influencing Iran’s succession process.

Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth clarified that Washington’s strategy does not involve expanding military targets in Iran but focuses primarily on degrading Tehran’s ballistic missile capabilities and preventing nuclear weapon development.

Lebanon’s Iran-aligned group Hezbollah has issued warnings to Israeli civilians, urging the evacuation of towns within five kilometres of the border.

The ongoing seven-day conflict has already caused substantial human losses. According to Iran’s Red Crescent Society, at least 1,230 people have been killed within Iran, including 175 schoolchildren and staff in a recent attack on an educational facility. In Lebanon, the Ministry of Health reports 77 fatalities.

Casualties Overview

The situation remains highly volatile, with both sides indicating readiness to escalate further, raising concerns of a broader regional confrontation.