Zalmay Khalilzad, former U.S. diplomat, has suggested that in a potential U.S. military campaign against Iran, the Afghanistan model might be implemented, with Kurdish forces playing a role similar to the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan.

In an interview with Rudaw, a television network in Iraqi Kurdistan, Khalilzad emphasized that there is no indication the U.S. intends to launch a large-scale ground invasion of Tehran or overthrow the Iranian regime, as it did in Iraq in 2003.

He explained that the likely strategy would focus on weakening Iran’s leadership through precision missile strikes and heavy air raids, creating conditions conducive to political change.

Khalilzad also highlighted the potential involvement of Kurdish and Iranian opposition groups, suggesting they could serve a role akin to the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan in 2001.

He recalled that during the U.S. military operations in Afghanistan, a small number of American special forces and intelligence teams coordinated with local allies to identify and target strategic objectives for airstrikes.

Khalilzad added that if the U.S. avoids deploying a large ground force, relying on local forces such as the Kurds—backed by extensive air support—could be the most effective approach.

He described the current situation as a “historic opportunity” for Iranians, particularly the Kurds, to pursue long-sought political change, while urging careful planning and coordination to manage the associated risks.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Thursday airstrikes and Durand Line clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan from 26 February to 3 March have affected at least 10 provinces as tensions between the two countries escalated.

According to OCHA, the violence impacted the provinces of Kabul, Kandahar, Khost, Kunar, Laghman, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Parwan, Paktia and Paktika.

As of 4 March, at least 56 civilians have been killed and 129 others injured, while hostilities remain ongoing in Nangarhar, Kunar, Khost, Paktia and Paktika provinces.

OCHA estimates that 16,370 families have been newly displaced by the fighting, including 2,500 families in Khost, 3,500 in Kunar, 2,500 in Nangarhar, 470 in Paktika, 7,000 in Paktia and 400 in Nuristan.

The displacement comes in addition to around 7,000 families still displaced after the 31 August 2025 earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, bringing the total number of displaced families to about 23,370, or roughly 163,590 people.

OCHA said the new displacement is worsening existing vulnerabilities. In Kunar Province, 3,640 families who had been living in informal settlements after the earthquake have been evacuated or ordered to leave areas near a military compound and return to their original locations. Another 2,074 families in Kunar and Nangarhar are at risk of secondary displacement.

Airstrikes have also damaged civilian infrastructure, including health facilities and humanitarian sites. Among the affected facilities are a 20-bed emergency hospital at the IOM Transit Centre and the Omari Returnee Reception Centre at the Torkham Crossing in Nangarhar.