4/4 Kurds in Iran: Political Resistance, Armed Groups, and the Fight for Autonomy

By Martin Aslan

There is a Kurdish province in Iran, with Sanandaj as its capital, but it does not cover the whole of the historic region of the Iranian Kurdistan, who includes West Azerbaijan, Kermanshah, Ilam, and Hamedan provinces. They are also home to Kurdish populations.

Political parties and armed groups

The “Kurdistan Free Life Party” (PJAK) is a Kurdish political and militant organization that is operating primarily in the Kurdish-majority areas of Iran. Founded in 2004, it is a revolutionary movement that advocates for Kurdish autonomy, human rights, and Democratic Confederalism, the ideology inspired by Abdullah Öcalan. PJAK is a member of the KCK.

The “Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran” (KDP-Iran) is a Kurdish political and militant organization exiled in the KRI, dedicated to Kurds rights and seeking greater autonomy for Kurdish-majority regions in Iran. Founded in 1945 in the Mahabad Republic, the KDPI is one of the oldest Kurdish political parties in the region, with a strong legacy of resistance to the Iranian government.

The “Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan” is a Kurdish political party founded in 1969 and exiled in the KRI. It has been a significant force of the Kurdish nationalist movement, advocating for Kurdish rights, autonomy, and self-determination in Iran. The party has a history of resistance against the Iranian government, particularly regarding the political and cultural repression of Kurds.

The “Kurdistan Freedom Party” (PAK) is a Kurdish political party founded in 1991 that operated primarily in Iran, and now exiled in the KRI. It’s focusing on advocating for Kurdish rights and autonomy, specifically in the Kurdish-majority regions of western Iran.

All these organizations, while having different founding dates and ideologies, are sharing the common goal of Kurdish self-determination and autonomy in Iran. This shared vision has often led to collaboration and alliances, despite their inner differences.

Comments

Relations between Türkiye and Latin America

by Martin Aslan Türkiye has established a real presence in regions such as Africa, especially in Libya and Somalia, as well as in Central Asia. Yet, one part of the world remains relatively under the radar in Turkish foreign policy: Latin America. Despite the geographical distance, it seems Ankara has been quietly working to expand its defense footprint in the region. Interestingly, the roots of Türkiye’s connection to Latin America stretch back to the 19th century, when immigrants from the Ottoman Empire, mostly Arabs, settled in South America. Locals called them "Los Turcos" (The Turks), a nickname that still stucks despite their actual ethnic origins. High-level visits and diplomatic expansion Türkiye launched an “Action Plan for Latin America and the Caribbean” in 1998. It was revised in 2006, when Türkiye declared that year as the “Year of Latin America and the Caribbean”. The plan served as a formal roadmap for engaging more seriously in the region. The first Turkish pr...

What will be the next Turkish fighter aircraft?

by Martin Aslan Türkiye is struggling to find willing sellers for modern fighter jets. Ankara faces significant challenges in acquiring its next-generation combat aircraft and remains entangled in ongoing diplomatic disputes. The F-35 fallout Ankara originally intended to purchase 100 F-35 fighter jets from the United States beginning in 2002, when Türkiye joined the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program as a partner nation. Over the following years, it invested in the development and production phases of the aircraft. However, in a significant shift, Türkiye signed a deal with Russia in 2017 to acquire the Russian-made S-400 air defense system. The first deliveries of the S-400 system began in July 2019. This decision sparked concerns among NATO allies over interoperability and security, as the S-400 is not compatible with NATO defense infrastructure. As a result, Türkiye was officially removed from the F-35 program in July 2019. The move marked a turning point in Türkiye’s defense policy...

Beyond Diplomacy: Türkiye’s Economic Footprint in Africa

by Martin Aslan Over the past two decades, Türkiye has undergone a significant transformation in its foreign policy, with the African continent emerging as a key strategic focus. Driven by a mix of economic ambition, diplomatic outreach, and geopolitical recalibration, Türkiye has steadily expanded its presence across Africa. This shift, which accelerated after Reçep Tayyip Erdoğan came to power in 2003, is reflected in the rapid increase in Turkish embassies, investment flows, and trade partnerships on the continent. While officials emphasize a “win-win” model of cooperation, critics argue that Türkiye’s engagement is guided more by resource acquisition and market access than by mutual development goals. Let’s not forget that Africa is a continent rich in natural resources, while Türkiye has very few (see the article “Africa, a continent with growing appeal”: https://turkishpulse.blogspot.com/2023/10/africa-continent-with-growing-appeal.html). This article examines the development of ...

Tũrkish Pulse

Search This Blog