Six Kurdish fighters killed in ambush by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard near Piranshahr,said Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI). PDKI reported its Peshmerga fighters' deaths,while IRGC claimed five group members killed in clash in West Azerbaijan Province's mountains.
Wednesday night,the incident happened in Qizqapan village. PDKI unit reportedly on political mission when attacked by heavily armed IRGC force. Hejar Berenji,PDKI's U.S. representative,identified deceased: Karo Hormuziari,Fardin Changizi,Mohammad Khaki,Abdullah Mohammadpour,Twana Osmani,Mohammad Amin Bayezidi . Berenji emphasized ambush fits broader repression in Iranian Kurdistan,where Iranian forces intensified attacks on Kurdish communities .
Violence surged in Kurdish-majority Iran in recent months,with over 850 attacks since February. Civilian casualties mounting. Majeed Gly,American Kurdish Committee president,said clashes show Kurdish frustration,not just routine skirmishes. “This is not business as usual. This is operations,and it seems to be deep inside,” he said.
IRGC claims PDKI fighters entered Iranian territory before attack . Incident follows violent confrontations in western Iran,including attack killing two IRGC members. Kurdish rights group Hengaw reported shooting by new Kurdish group seeking retribution for IRGC's role in 2022-2023 protests suppression.
Iran views Kurdish factions as threats to territorial integrity,calling them separatists or terrorists. PDKI,one of oldest Kurdish opposition movements,has decades of conflict with Iranian government. Berenji warned Kurdish struggle predates U.S.-Iran talks. Any deal ignoring Kurdish issues won't bring real stability .
Despite escalating tensions,Kurdish groups hold back from full-scale uprising. Mixed signals from U.S.,Israel on support. Gly noted Iran's perceived weakness emboldens Kurdish factions. “What has changed is the perception of weakness of Iran. They are less afraid of the regime,” he remarked .
Tensions rise,Kurdish community stands firm on right to self-defense against Iranian aggression . Berenji stated,“We seek a democratic, pluralistic,secular and federal Iran where all nations and communities can live with dignity and rights. But the Kurdish people also have the right to defend themselves against repression, intimidation, and attacks by the IRGC.”
