Iran’s War against PJAK; reasons and effects
Iran’s War against PJAK; reasons and effects
These days there have been large-scale and major confrontations between PJAK and Iranian Army since foundation of PJAK on 2004. Also these have been the biggest military operations since Iran-Iraq war. More than 15000 Iranian Revolutionary Guards have been deployed to fight against PJAK in its bases in Qandil and along borders with Kurdistan Regional Government.
According to the reports, just during one week more than 300 Iranian soldiers killed in clashes with PJAK guerrillas, this included the high commanders of Iranian Revolutionary Guards; but PJAK’s sufferings have been less than 10 guerrillas. This simple comparison shows the outstanding success of PJAK during this period. The question is; what are the goals of Iran in this war against PJAK and what are the effects?
One of the purposes of Iran, is removing PJAK from its bases in Qandil and in Eastern Kurdistan, killing its guerrillas and finally destroying the whole organization. Until now the reports indicated thatIran not only hasn’t reached to any of these aims, but alsotheywere highly suffered.In the meantime, PJAK guerrillas have been able to repel successfully Iranian Revolutionary Guards with losing around 300 soldiers and its high commanders, something that has been a surprise for Iranian authorities.
Second, Iran seek to put more pressure on KRG and central government of Iraq to act more against PJAK; in this case, Iran wants to follow Turkey’s 2007-2008 plan. In 2007-2008 the large-scale operations of Turkey against PKK and threatening KRG militarily, put pressure on KRG to cooperate much more with Turkey against PKK; on the other hand, Turkey offered more economic and political benefits to KRG. Then, Turkey used a carrot-and-stick approach to pressure the KRG to act against the PKK. Iran hopes if it pursuits the PJAK in KRG’s territory, then this can destabilize KRG and on other hand, would be a direct military pressure against KRG to restrict PJAK activity in the region. It is worth notice that these attacks have been with the green light of Iraq and KRG, because the substantial basis for Iran-KRG positive, economic and political relations, (similar to Turkey) have been the KRG’s cooperation with Iran against PJAK and other Kurdish parties that were active in Eastern Kurdistan (part of Iran). In the past, KRG restricted and disarmed Democrat and Komela, two Kurdish parties that engaged in armed conflict with Iranian regimes for a long time. Iran expects that KRG should cooperate in disarmament of PJAK too. Iraq and KRG’s silence or weak reaction against current Iranian attacks is the evidence of their cooperation with Iran.
Third; Islamic Republic of Iran seek to de-concentrate Iranian people from political change in the region and enhanced its legitimation between people. Also, by engaging war with PJAK, Iranian Revolutionary Guards would strengthen its own privileged position in Iran.
On the other side, these large-scale operations have some effects.
PJAK as the main political party was founded to fight for Kurdish rights against Iran’s oppressing policy in Eastern Kurdistan, to defend Kurds and to assert the right to self-determination of Kurdish people. PJAK originated from Kurdish people as their voice and their will for their liberation. Therefore, the military operations of Iranian army against PJAK would bring more outrage among Kurds against Iranian regime and in support of PJAK. As much as Iran uses violence against PJAK, PJAK’s strength, influence and guerrilla recruitment would be increased would be increased. In fact, this is a new stage for Kurdish liberation movement in Eastern Kurdistan. After these successes PJAK would play much more role in Kurdistan, Iran and in the region, confidence in Kurds would be enhanced and Western countries would give more credit on PJAK influence and its capacity in the region.
Therefore, in this war, Iranian regime not only cannot get to any of its goals but would lose its military and morale influence in Kurdistan region. Iran would have to accept that no military operation could destroy PJAK, the best-organized and strong, politically and militarily. And any confrontation with its guerrillas would mean bloodshed for Iranian army.
The successes of PKK and PJAK in war with Turkey and Iran has approved that Kurds now have enough power to struggle for their legitimate right to self-determination and to defend Kurds. The peaceful attempts of PJAK and PKK for asserting right to self-determination soon could turn to the all-out war in the region that could endanger regional and international peace and security. Then, international community should acknowledge; that Kurds are “People” in the definition of Article 1 (2) of the UN Charter and have the right to self-determination, that PKK and PJAK are not terrorist parties, but they are the voice and will of Kurds and their military operations have been based on the law of war, their struggle is for asserting right to self-determination of Kurdish people against oppressors, Iran and Turkey, the two countries that have a history of genocide, war crime and crime against humanity against Kurds.
*Student at International Human Right Law in Lund University
According to the reports, just during one week more than 300 Iranian soldiers killed in clashes with PJAK guerrillas, this included the high commanders of Iranian Revolutionary Guards; but PJAK’s sufferings have been less than 10 guerrillas. This simple comparison shows the outstanding success of PJAK during this period. The question is; what are the goals of Iran in this war against PJAK and what are the effects?
One of the purposes of Iran, is removing PJAK from its bases in Qandil and in Eastern Kurdistan, killing its guerrillas and finally destroying the whole organization. Until now the reports indicated thatIran not only hasn’t reached to any of these aims, but alsotheywere highly suffered.In the meantime, PJAK guerrillas have been able to repel successfully Iranian Revolutionary Guards with losing around 300 soldiers and its high commanders, something that has been a surprise for Iranian authorities.
Second, Iran seek to put more pressure on KRG and central government of Iraq to act more against PJAK; in this case, Iran wants to follow Turkey’s 2007-2008 plan. In 2007-2008 the large-scale operations of Turkey against PKK and threatening KRG militarily, put pressure on KRG to cooperate much more with Turkey against PKK; on the other hand, Turkey offered more economic and political benefits to KRG. Then, Turkey used a carrot-and-stick approach to pressure the KRG to act against the PKK. Iran hopes if it pursuits the PJAK in KRG’s territory, then this can destabilize KRG and on other hand, would be a direct military pressure against KRG to restrict PJAK activity in the region. It is worth notice that these attacks have been with the green light of Iraq and KRG, because the substantial basis for Iran-KRG positive, economic and political relations, (similar to Turkey) have been the KRG’s cooperation with Iran against PJAK and other Kurdish parties that were active in Eastern Kurdistan (part of Iran). In the past, KRG restricted and disarmed Democrat and Komela, two Kurdish parties that engaged in armed conflict with Iranian regimes for a long time. Iran expects that KRG should cooperate in disarmament of PJAK too. Iraq and KRG’s silence or weak reaction against current Iranian attacks is the evidence of their cooperation with Iran.
Third; Islamic Republic of Iran seek to de-concentrate Iranian people from political change in the region and enhanced its legitimation between people. Also, by engaging war with PJAK, Iranian Revolutionary Guards would strengthen its own privileged position in Iran.
On the other side, these large-scale operations have some effects.
PJAK as the main political party was founded to fight for Kurdish rights against Iran’s oppressing policy in Eastern Kurdistan, to defend Kurds and to assert the right to self-determination of Kurdish people. PJAK originated from Kurdish people as their voice and their will for their liberation. Therefore, the military operations of Iranian army against PJAK would bring more outrage among Kurds against Iranian regime and in support of PJAK. As much as Iran uses violence against PJAK, PJAK’s strength, influence and guerrilla recruitment would be increased would be increased. In fact, this is a new stage for Kurdish liberation movement in Eastern Kurdistan. After these successes PJAK would play much more role in Kurdistan, Iran and in the region, confidence in Kurds would be enhanced and Western countries would give more credit on PJAK influence and its capacity in the region.
Therefore, in this war, Iranian regime not only cannot get to any of its goals but would lose its military and morale influence in Kurdistan region. Iran would have to accept that no military operation could destroy PJAK, the best-organized and strong, politically and militarily. And any confrontation with its guerrillas would mean bloodshed for Iranian army.
The successes of PKK and PJAK in war with Turkey and Iran has approved that Kurds now have enough power to struggle for their legitimate right to self-determination and to defend Kurds. The peaceful attempts of PJAK and PKK for asserting right to self-determination soon could turn to the all-out war in the region that could endanger regional and international peace and security. Then, international community should acknowledge; that Kurds are “People” in the definition of Article 1 (2) of the UN Charter and have the right to self-determination, that PKK and PJAK are not terrorist parties, but they are the voice and will of Kurds and their military operations have been based on the law of war, their struggle is for asserting right to self-determination of Kurdish people against oppressors, Iran and Turkey, the two countries that have a history of genocide, war crime and crime against humanity against Kurds.
*Student at International Human Right Law in Lund University
