I’m much less of a fan of the Kurds after I read some in depth books on the Armenia genocide. I’m not a big fan of the Armenia’s either but they are Christians the Kurds really enjoyed slaughtering any Christians they could get their hands on. They’re not civilized people.
Mountain tribes, still not out of middle ages. Income comes from smuggling and looting those who live down the hills and are obviously richer. Similar to other mountain people, like the Chechens further north. Islam is not the main issue, they also into Marxism, but Islam sure makes it worth.
There is a romantic element to it, sure, and ancient connections that are interesting -- but a brief summary is still "ethnic criminal gangs".