‘We are not anyone’s proxy force’: Iranian Kurdish party
The Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) has clarified its stance, stating it is not a proxy force for any power but seeks democratic change in Iran. The group maintains it will only engage in the current U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran if the existence of the Kurdish people is directly threatened.
Why it matters
Understanding the position of armed Kurdish factions is critical for assessing regional stability and the potential for internal conflict within Iran during broader geopolitical tensions.
The Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), an armed militant group and political party based in Iran’s Kurdish region (also known as Eastern Kurdistan), says they are not a proxy of any power but a force for democratic change and freedom in Iran. PJAK, which is aligned with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) of Turkiye, has sought greater autonomy for Eastern Kurdistan in Iran. After the U.S. and Israel launched their war on Iran on February 28, there were speculations that Kurdish groups in Iran would join the war against the Islamic Republic. In an email interview with T he Hindu, Rivar Abdanan, a spokesperson of PJAK and a member of the party’s Leadership Council, said PJAK would enter the war only if the “existence of the Kurdish people comes under threat”.
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