Kurdish independence refers to the aspiration of the Kurdish people to establish an independent nation-state, primarily in the region known as Kurdistan, which spans parts of Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. The Kurds are an ethnic group with their own distinct language and culture, and they have faced historical oppression and marginalization in these countries. In Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has gained a degree of autonomy since the early 2000s, leading to increased calls for independence, especially after the defeat of ISIS. However, the quest for Kurdish independence remains contentious, with significant political and military challenges from the governments of the countries where Kurds reside.