The Kurds were taken advantage of by the Soviet Union. The USSR believed they could control a Kurdish Republic, formed out of Iranian territory. This was done to weaken the Iranian Azerbaijan region. The Soviets hoped that this region would rebel, and join the Soviets. The USSR promised the Kurds weapons, financing, and general support. This support, however, failed to materialize. The Soviets were unable to control the Kurds, and feared that they