According to The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Trump said he was “very disappointed” with Kurdish opposition groups, reportedly referring to alleged weapons support and their conduct following U.S. backing in operations linked to Iran-related tensions.………
The report stated that Trump’s comments were made on May 11, during which he accused unnamed Kurdish factions of failing to meet expectations, suggesting that they only “fight hard when they get paid,” a remark that has drawn attention given the long-standing U.S. partnership with Kurdish forces in various regional conflicts.
It was also reported that Trump referenced limited weapons transfers, claiming that only “some guns with ammunition” had been provided and implying that (…..) intended deliveries may not have reached their expected destinations.
The remarks come amid ongoing reporting around Kurdish Iranian opposition groups and their possible involvement in wider regional dynamics, particularly in relation to Iran and cross-border tensions involving armed factions operating across Iraq, Syria, and neighbouring regions.
The article highlighted that no specific Kurdish organisation was named in Trump’s statement, adding to uncertainty over whether his comments referred to Iraqi Kurdish forces, Syrian Kurdish groups, or Iranian opposition factions operating from northern Iraq.
Trump also expressed scepticism about the effectiveness of weapons transfers through intermediary groups, suggesting that such operations are often (…..) difficult to control and may not achieve their intended strategic outcomes.
The Jerusalem Post analysis noted that Kurdish political and military groups are not unified, but rather consist of multiple factions with differing ideologies, alliances, and regional goals across Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and Iran.
Some Kurdish forces have previously worked closely with the United States in anti-ISIS operations, particularly in Syria, where the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces played a major role in defeating the extremist group.
However, the report also emphasised that attempts to arm or coordinate with opposition groups in Iran have historically been far more complex, with logistical, political, and regional rivalries complicating such efforts.
Trump’s remarks have reignited debate over the reliability of proxy forces in U.S. foreign policy and the challenges of using local militias in broader geopolitical strategies, especially in regions as fragmented as the Middle East.
