Kurdish leader says backing Kurds serves Israel’s national security

Kader Puri who heads the “Kurds Without Border” organization, told Israeli media on Wednesday that Israeli national security is linked to continued Israeli support for the Kurdish cause in the Middle East. 

“National security is achieved only through support for the cause. We are talking about a new Middle East with four key countries: Syria, Iraq, Turkey, and Iran. The Kurds are in all of them," Puri told the Israeli news outlet Maariv. 

The Kurds number more than 30 million people, which makes them one of the world’s largest ethic groups without a nation state despite a distinct culture, language and national identity. 

The Kurdish leader, who is located in the Syrian city of Qamishli, explained that the Kurds have nowhere else to go after reaching what he describes as “zero point” retreats.

“The plan was the destruction of the Kurdish people, not only militarily, but a political and physical genocide, as was done in Afrin in the past,” Piri assessed. He continued by revealing that “young people, adults, women, and men carrying weapons. This is a necessary resistance campaign against a Turkish operation, combined with the regime of [Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa], to carry out ethnic cleansing."

Turkey has backed the current Syrian Islamist Sharaa regime since it took power following the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024. 

“The Kurds are the ones who eliminated ISIS, and they openly declare they are coming to avenge their defeat in 'Al-Bagouz' (ISIS's last stronghold),” Piri explained. “They see it as revenge."

The Kurds, who have supported Western interests in the Middle East, are increasingly frustrated with the lack of support from Washington. 

“We’re not talking about official policy, but about Tom Barrack, the double envoy of the American and Turkish presidents,” Piri said, referring to Washington’s Ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria. 

“Barrack is the one closing the deals, and first and foremost, he works for the interests of the Turkish president,” the Kurdish leader argued, adding that the deals were reportedly facilitated by Saudi and Qatari bribes. 

“The last agreement, which seemingly looks like capitulation, was intended to prevent mass massacres. Under this agreement, the Kurdish forces or what remains of Assad's forces will stay in the Kurdish areas but under a different name, as a division of the Syrian army. The critical point for us was that the 'Asayish' (Kurdish internal security) would carry out the defense mission inside the cities," Piri explained. He further stressed that Kurds have zero trust in the Turkish-backed Islamist regime in Damascus. 

"Simply put, there is no trust in the other side. They cannot be allowed to enter Kurdish cities and towns. What they did on the Syrian coast (against the Alawites) and elsewhere (against the Druze) is clear proof of what they will do if they gain a foothold with us,” Piri emphasized. 

“Therefore, the forces and generals, including General Mazlum Abdi, will stay in their place under Kurdish command, even if the official name changes. General Abdi refused to take roles like Deputy Defense Minister and insisted on staying with his people," he said. 

Syrian Kurds last month criticized Israel for advancing American-backed talks with the Syrian Sharaa regime even as Kurdish communities face massacres. They have since urged Israel to increase its support for their cause, with Piri emphasizing that doing so aligns with Israel’s own strategic interests.

“Your national security is achieved only through support for the Kurdish cause,” he argued.  “We are talking about a new Middle East with four key countries: Syria, Iraq, Turkey, and Iran. The Kurds are in all of them. You are aware of the existential danger posed by Iran, but I tell you with confidence: Iran will not fall from missiles from outside. No matter how much Israel or the US bombs it or what advanced weapons are used, Iran will only fall from within."

He concluded by arguing that only the Kurds are positioned to topple the ayatollah regime in Tehran: 

"The only force capable of toppling the Ayatollah regime is the Kurds. We control the mountainous regions, from the Kandil Mountains to Eastern Kurdistan ('Rojhelat'). We are the primary victims of this regime, even before the Gulf or Israel. Therefore, Netanyahu, who thinks deeply strategically, must understand that the strategic defense of Israel goes through the realization of Kurdish rights."