This essay aims at explaining how the cultural identity of Kurds has changed in regard to patriotism and ethnonationalism in connection with the Arab Spring and the emergence of IS/Da’ish in Syria and Iraq. The main purpose of this paper is to contribute to a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms behind the growth of ethnonationalism among Kurds under the threat of armed conflict. The study’s main theoretical arguments rests upon a base of previous anthropological research made on the subjects nationalism and identity, and is additionally joined by theoretical arguments on ethnicity from the field of peace and conflict studies. By examining critical moments in the past and present history of Kurdish ethnonationalism as well as investigating the use of symbols representing Kurdish identity, I conclude that the emergence of the Arab Spring and the rise of IS/Da’ish has boosted Kurdish identity in regard to patriotism and ethnonationalism. Nonetheless, further research might still have to be made in order to completely understand the possibly even more detailed mechanisms behind the effects of conflicts, as well as other surrounding factors, on identity, patriotism and ethnonationalism.