ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - US President Donald Trump on Monday again expressed disappointment with the Kurds, accusing them of taking weapons sent by Washington to Iranian protesters. Kurdish groups have denied the claim.
Trump claimed earlier this year that his administration had sent weapons to Iranian anti-government protesters through the Kurds, but alleged that the weapons were kept by Kurdish groups instead.
Speaking to reporters during a maternal healthcare event on Monday, Trump repeated the claim, saying Iranian protesters did not take to the streets because they had no weapons.
“We thought the Kurds were gonna give us weapons, but the Kurds disappointed us. The Kurds take, take, take,” he said. “They have a great reputation in Congress. Congress says, oh, they fight so hard. No, they fight hard when they get paid. So I'm very disappointed in the Kurds, but they were given, I said it wasn't gonna work, by the way, I just have to say it. I disagreed with what they did, they gave it. I said, they'll never get there.”
Several Iranian Kurdish groups have categorically denied the claim.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday said Trump’s remarks were a broader expression of support for the Iranian people rather than confirmation of specific weapons transfers.
Many Kurdistan Region officials and politicians have also said they are not aware of any weapons delivered by the Americans to Kurds.
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