The Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916 established British and French zones of influence in the Middle East, leading to the division of Kurdish territories across modern-day Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. Following World War I, the Treaty of Sevres proposed an autonomous Kurdish state, but was rejected by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, leading to the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923, which omitted Kurdish autonomy. This set the stage for ongoing Kurdish revolts against the respective authorities in these nations.

In 1946, Iranian Kurds established the Republic of Mahabad, which was short-lived due to Iranian reoccupation after the Soviet withdrawal. Mustafa Barzani founded the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iraq (KDP) during this period, which became a significant political force in Iraqi Kurdistan. The 1961 rebellion by Iraqi Kurds against unfulfilled autonomy promises marked the beginning of a prolonged conflict with the Iraqi government, particularly under the Baathist regime.

In Syria, a 1962 census stripped 120,000 Kurds of citizenship, rendering them stateless and without basic rights. The Baathist government in Syria implemented policies to displace Kurds and Arabize resource-rich areas, further exacerbating tensions. The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) was founded in 1974, advocating for Kurdish rights in Turkey, and has been involved in a violent conflict with the Turkish state since 1984, leading to significant casualties, predominantly among Kurdish civilians.

The 1988 al-Anfal campaign by Saddam Hussein resulted in the genocide of Iraqi Kurds, with estimates of casualties ranging from 50,000 to 180,000. Following the Gulf War in 1991, a U.S.-led coalition established a no-fly zone over Iraqi Kurdistan, allowing for the emergence of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and a degree of autonomy.

In the 2000s, Kurdish forces played a crucial role in the fight against the Islamic State, receiving support from the U.S. However, this relationship complicated U.S.-Turkey relations, as Turkey views the PKK and its affiliates as terrorist organizations. The KRG's 2017 independence referendum was met with strong opposition from the Iraqi government and neighboring countries, highlighting the ongoing geopolitical complexities surrounding Kurdish autonomy.

In recent years, Turkey has conducted military operations against Kurdish forces in both Iraq and Syria, citing security concerns. Reports of war crimes against Kurdish populations by Turkey-backed forces have raised humanitarian concerns. The Kurdish struggle for autonomy continues to be shaped by regional power dynamics, state aggression, and the impact of international policies.