As protests have swept Iran over the past two weeks, Kurdish groups have played a key role in opposing the Iranian regime. The major Kurdish parties that exist in Iran have put out statements unifying their positions against the regime and supporting the protests. There are a number of Kurdish opposition groups that exist in Iran, and they have different political ideologies and backgrounds, they agree on the necessity of opposing oppression.
Over the last several days, reports have indicated that hundreds of people have been killed in the protests in Iran. This came after a week and a half during which the regime appeared cautious in its approach and was waiting to see whether the protests would grow or gradually weaken. As the protests have shown, they have staying power; the regime has responded in the way it always does, by massacring people.
Historically, the Iranian regime often carries out extreme abuses against minority groups whenever those groups join nationwide protests. For instance, the Kurdistan region of Iran is often subjected to extreme oppression and killings. This makes many minority groups wary of joining protests and also means they generally have extensive networks of opposition. This is true among Kurds, Arabs, Baloch, and others.
The Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, also known as the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran or PDKI, put out a statement on January 11 noting that one of their representatives in Norway, Amir Babakhani, had said, “the goal is to see the regime in Iran fall. Our aim is to have a democratic country- one with freedom, where we can live together in a true democracy.” The PDKI has also welcomed statements in Europe and elsewhere condemning the crackdown on the protests.
On January 8, the group posted a message highlighting the unity of various Kurdish parties in Iran. The Dialogue Center for Cooperation among the political parties of Eastern Kurdistan released a statement thanking the people of Kurdistan and freedom-seekers throughout Iran.
“Through strikes and continued protests, they delivered a clear, forceful political message to repressive forces and the ruling regime," the statement said.
“The Dialogue Center for Cooperation emphasizes that the freedom-loving people of Kurdistan demonstrated their renewed trust in their political parties through a general strike, the closure of markets and shops, and the expression of discontent across all cities,”
“The statement affirms that the brave, freedom-loving people of Kurdistan have demonstrated that threats, intimidation, and repressive policies will not weaken their determination. Through unity and solidarity, the people and political parties of Kurdistan have sent a clear message that their freedom-seeking movement has entered a new phase.”
The Kurdistan Freedom Party
The Kurdistan Freedom Party, or PAK, has been very active in fighting the Iranian regime. This group gained extensive experience fighting ISIS in Iraq. PAK sent forces to fight ISIS in 2014, and their units served on many of the toughest frontlines alongside Kurdish Peshmerga in northern Iraq. As such, the PAK has a tight-knit group of fighters.
Their armed units, which they call the Kurdistan National Army or SMK, put out a statement on January 11 noting that “in retaliation to false IRGC claims, SMK carried out successful operations in Isfahan and Kermanshah.” The statement describes several operations in Iran. Previous posts by the PAK have shown images they claim come from their operations striking at Iranian regime elements. A January 10 post says that elements of the SMK killed six IRGC members.
PDKI is a historic Kurdish party in Iran and maintains relatively good relations with Kurdish parties that govern the autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq. PAK is a nationalist and centrist group. In contrast, the PJAK Kurdish party is a far-left group that has historic connections with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). The PKK has recently said it is laying down its arms and disbanding its insurgency in Turkey. However, PJAK remains a force in the Kurdistan region of Iran.
On January 11, PJAK put out a statement. “PJAK Condemns Killings in Iran as Crimes Against Humanity,” the statement was titled. “The Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) has issued a statement condemning the Iranian government’s crackdown on nationwide protests, describing the killing of demonstrators as a clear crime against humanity. In the statement, PJAK’s Co-Presidency affirmed that protests against the Islamic Republic continue across Iran. They accuse state forces of using light and heavy weapons against civilians in multiple cities and regions, including Tehran, Isfahan, Khorasan, Lorestan, and parts of Kurdistan.”
The statement went on to say that “the PJAK Co-Presidency further shared that authorities have cut internet and telephone services to prevent information from reaching the outside world and to facilitate further repression. Calling on international institutions to take immediate action, they urge the global public and Iranians abroad to speak out and support the protesters. The statement further suggests that the ongoing demonstrations, led predominantly by youth and women, will ultimately lead to freedom and democratic change in Iran.”
The role of the Kurdish parties in Iran is important in the context of the protests. However, it remains to be seen if the protesters can challenge the regime or if Tehran will be able to weather the storm again.