As protests in Iran escalate, Kurdish opposition groups, including PDKI, PAK, and PJAK, call for regime change, despite ongoing violence and a deadly crackdown on demonstrators.
It’s not secret that Kurds need Iran like fish need bicycles. In reality, they need either their own state, or if that is impossible - a region where education can be organized in Kurdish and local autonomy is extensive.
However, if opposition in Persian speaking regions gets killed, minority groups cannot carry Iran through a revolution. But they can slow down repression by keeping borders permeable (so people can flee and things can be smuggled), and counteract the crackdown by providing a few experienced people to Persian areas, where the ayatollah has a stronger hold. Hopefully - to break open some warehouses, defeat their guards, distribute the content and advise people about tactics.
The article in Jerusalem Post is backed by other sources, for example, here is yesterday’s interview with Amir Karimi of the PJAK (Kurdistan Free Life Party).
Rebaz: Since late 2023, and particularly following October 7th, the Middle East has been undergoing very rapid and serious changes. And Iran and Kurdistan are at the center of these changes. Currently, the streets of Iran are volatile, with protesters out demanding a change in the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Despite the internet and communication lines being cut, the latest reports speak of dozens killed and thousands arrested. Recently, the Kurdish parties of Eastern Kurdistan (Iranian Kurdistan) released a joint statement, announcing their decision to take steps toward future stages within a shared political framework. I am currently sitting on the Kurdish mountains along the Iran-Iraq border with Mr. Amir Karimi, Co-Chair of the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), to discuss these questions.)
There are also reports of Kurdish troops challenging and defeating Islamic Republic troops in some localities. And his words indicate it’s not an accident:
Of course, the Islamic Republic deals with all freedoms—for women, for nations, for those issues—very harshly, especially the Kurdish issue. For example, even now, a very high percentage of those being executed and arrested are Kurds. It is very significant. Therefore, in the actions of the Islamic Republic, we are always forced to protect ourselves. And we are forced to protect our people. Now that there is violence, we believe that the people must be able to protect themselves. Of course, the Kurdish people have some experience in this area. We also have a philosophy in this area called Legitimate Self-Defense. Every society must protect itself.
Iraqi Kurds have been reporting PJAK is fighting in West Azerbaijan Province for more than 5 days now. Most Kurds aren’t separatist or pro-PJAK from the limited polls we have but the article is factural in what the Kurdish oppostion did.
Classic tactic, Jerusalem Post. Classic.
It’s not secret that Kurds need Iran like fish need bicycles. In reality, they need either their own state, or if that is impossible - a region where education can be organized in Kurdish and local autonomy is extensive.
However, if opposition in Persian speaking regions gets killed, minority groups cannot carry Iran through a revolution. But they can slow down repression by keeping borders permeable (so people can flee and things can be smuggled), and counteract the crackdown by providing a few experienced people to Persian areas, where the ayatollah has a stronger hold. Hopefully - to break open some warehouses, defeat their guards, distribute the content and advise people about tactics.
The article in Jerusalem Post is backed by other sources, for example, here is yesterday’s interview with Amir Karimi of the PJAK (Kurdistan Free Life Party).
In the Zagros Mountains, PJAK’s Co-chair Says Iran has “Already Collapsed” and Warns Against “Another Dictatorship”
There are also reports of Kurdish troops challenging and defeating Islamic Republic troops in some localities. And his words indicate it’s not an accident:
Iraqi Kurds have been reporting PJAK is fighting in West Azerbaijan Province for more than 5 days now. Most Kurds aren’t separatist or pro-PJAK from the limited polls we have but the article is factural in what the Kurdish oppostion did.