Are the Kurds a sect of Islam. I had heard they were a minority Christians ?

I recently received an email, from a soldier explaning the real way it was over in Iraq. The real reason why people were fighting. There are 3 factions in Iraq, the Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds. Sadam was a Sunni, so he kept the Shiites in check. Everyone hated the Kurds..who I had heard were Christians, and a minority. So are the Kurds , Christian or not ? And are they part of the sect of Islam ?