:Iran–PJAK conflict

{{main|1979 Kurdish rebellion in Iran|KDPI insurgency (1990s)}}

Since the Iranian Revolution, there has been an ongoing conflict between Iran's central government and Kurdish political movements rooted in the predominantly Kurdish region of western Iran.Hicks, Neil. The human rights of Kurds in the Islamic Republic of Iran, April 2000. {{cite web |url=http://www1.american.edu/cgp/pdf/hicks.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-10-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807060312/http://www1.american.edu/cgp/pdf/hicks.pdf |archive-date=2011-08-07 }} The level of violence has ebbed and flowed with peaks of serious conflict in 1979, the early eighties and the early nineties.

Kurdish casualties are estimated by the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) at more than 30,000 civilian dead in addition to 4,000 Kurdish fighters. Along with the dead, there have been tens of thousands of people imprisoned; hundreds of villages destroyed and hundreds of thousands of people displaced. The local economy of an already under-developed region has been severely damaged by the conflict, as of course has the Iranian economy as a whole.

File:PJAK fighters.jpg image)|left]]

The exact history of PJAK is widely disputed. Turkey and Iran claim that PJAK is no more than an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). According to some sources, members of the PKK founded the PJAK in 2004 as an Iranian equivalent to their leftist-nationalist insurgency against the Turkish government.{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/jir/jir060628_1_n.shtml |title=The militant Kurds of Iran - Jane's Security News |publisher=Janes.com |access-date=2008-11-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010194856/http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/jir/jir060628_1_n.shtml |archive-date=October 10, 2008}}

According to founding members of PJAK, however, the group began in Iran around 1997 as an entirely peaceful student-based human rights movement. The group was inspired by the success of Iraq's Kurdish autonomous region and by the PKK's struggle in Turkey. Discouraged by the failure of previous Kurdish revolts, however, PJAK's leaders initially worked only to maintain and build a Kurdish national identity. After a series of government crackdowns against Kurdish activists and intellectuals, the group's leadership moved to the safety of Iraqi Kurdistan in 1999. There they settled in the area controlled by the PKK on the slopes of Mount Qandil—less than {{convert|10|mi|km|order=flip}} from the Iranian border. Once established at Qandil and operating under the PKK's security umbrella, PJAK adopted many of the political ideas and military strategies of jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, whose theories had initially inspired PJAK's founders while still in Iran. The PKK's ideological influence also transformed PJAK from a civil rights movement to a more ambitious and multi-directional independence movement, aided by the transfer of many seasoned PKK fighters of Iranian origin into PJAK.

PJAK's leaders have twice kidnapped groups of Iranian soldiers in 2003 and 2004. In both instances Iranian soldiers were released unharmed after being tried and acquitted for crimes against the Kurdish people by ad hoc PJAK courts in Iranian Kurdistan.

The PJAK group's first armed attack took place in 2004 in the area of the city of Marivan in Kurdistan province, after Iranian security forces fired on a protestors killing 10 people.

In July 2005, massive three-week long riots in North-West Iran, met by massive security response, left some 20 Kurds dead and 300 wounded.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/aug/05/iran.michaelhoward |title=Iran sends in troops to crush border unrest |website=TheGuardian.com |date=4 August 2005 |access-date=2016-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026171505/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/aug/05/iran.michaelhoward |archive-date=2016-10-26 |url-status=live }} The protests erupted following the killing of an activist by Iranian security forces in the city of Mahabad on July 9.Gunter, M.M. The Kurds Ascending: The Evolving Solution to the Kurdish Problem in Iraq, p. 134. Springer. 2016. More riots followed in October 2005.

According to Kurdish sources, as many as 100,000 state security forces backed by helicopters, moved into the region to crack down on the demonstrations. The Kurdistan Democratic party of Iran urged "international organizations, human-rights supporters and the international community to make efforts to stop the bloodshed of the people by the Islamic regime of Iran". Hussein Yazdanpanah, the general secretary of the Revolutionary Union of Kurdistan, who was at the time in exile in the city of Irbil, also criticized the crackdown. That year, the PJAK began widescale engagements with Iranian security forces in the Marivan region.

Istanbul's Cihan News Agency claimed that over 100 members of the Iranian security forces were killed by PJAK during 2005.[http://www.zaman.com/?bl=hotnews&alt=&trh=20060410&hn=31854 Iran Arrests 7 PKK Terrorists] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605055133/http://www.zaman.com/?bl=hotnews&alt=&trh=20060410&hn=31854 |date=2011-06-05}}, April 10, 2006, Cihan News Agency/zaman.com

{{anchor|September 2006 Sardasht incident}}

In February 2006, 10 protestors were killed by police in the city of Maku. PJAK responded with three attacks against two Iranian bases. In retaliation, PJAK claims to have killed 24 members of Iranian security forces in a raid on April 3, 2006.[http://washingtontimes.com/world/20060403-125601-8453r.htm Tehran faces growing Kurdish opposition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061014193507/http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20060403-125601-8453r.htm |date=2006-10-14 }}, James Brandon, The Washington Times, April 3, 2006 On April 10, 2006, seven PJAK members were arrested in Iran, on suspicion that they killed three Iranian security force personnel. Shortly afterward, on April 21, and again a week later, Iranian troops fired nearly 100 artillery shells at PJAK positions near Mount Qandil and briefly crossed the Iraqi border, according to the Iraqi Ministry of Defense.

PJAK set off a bomb on 8 May 2006 in the city of Kermanshah, wounding five people at a government building.{{Cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/jir/jir060628_1_n.shtml|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211001040/http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/jir/jir060628_1_n.shtml|url-status=dead|title=The militant Kurds of Iran - Jane's Security News|archivedate=December 11, 2008}} Following this, the Iranian military retaliated with bombardments on suspected PJAK positions in US-occupied Iraq along the Iranian border. A number of civilians died as a result.{{cite web | url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20759540/site/newsweek/page/2/ |title=Trouble on the Iran-Iraq Border - Newsweek: World News - MSNBC.com |publisher=Msnbc.msn.com |date=September 13, 2007 |access-date=2008-11-10}}{{dead link|date=August 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The PKK's Roj TV claimed that PJAK troops killed four Iranian soldiers on May 27, in a clash near the town of Maku in Iranian Kurdistan.

The September 2006 Sardasht incident (an Iran–Iraq cross-border raid) was a military operation which took place on Iran–Iraqi Kurdistan border, in which at least 30 Kurdish militants of the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) were allegedly killed and 40 injured by Iranian security forces.{{cite web | url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/sep/05/iran-kurdish-rebels-iraq-border| title=Iranian forces kill Kurdish rebels near Iraq border |first=David |last=Batty | work=The Guardian | date=5 September 2011| access-date=29 November 2014}} Following the clash, a PJAK spokesman inside Iraq declared an immediate, unilateral ceasefire. Senior Iranian military spokesman Hamid Ahmadi rejected the call, saying: "A ceasefire with a terrorist group doesn't make any sense".

The fighting came a week after the Revolutionary Guards announced a new military offensive against PJAK, or the Free Life party of Kurdistan, with the intention of driving them from their positions in Iran.

On September 28, 2006, Iran said that two members of the PKK blew up a gas pipeline to Turkey near the town of Bazargan in West Azerbaijan province.{{cite web | url=http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2370269 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070625152714/http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2370269 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-06-25 |title=PJAK Claims Fresh Attacks in Iran |publisher=Jamestown.org |access-date=2008-11-10 }}

On February 24, 2007 an Iranian helicopter crashed near the town of Khoy, killing 13 soldiers, including several members of the elite Revolutionary Guards and Said Qahari, the head of the Iranian army's 3rd Corps. PJAK quickly claimed to have shot down the helicopter using a shoulder-launched missile, killing 20 soldiers, including several senior officers, during an hour-long battle. Iran, however, blamed the crash on bad weather. After that, Iran launched a counter-offensive against the group in the northeast of Iran's West Azerbaijan province, near the Turkish border. According to Iran's state news agencies as many as 47 Kurdish rebels and 17 Iranian soldiers were killed in the violence between February 25 and March 1, 2007.

In August 2007, PJAK claimed it managed to down another Iranian military helicopter that was conducting a forward operation of bombardment by Iranian forces.{{Cite web|url=http://ozgurgundem.net/haber.asp?haberid=41878|title=PJAK helikopter düşürdü|date=October 11, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011172432/http://ozgurgundem.net/haber.asp?haberid=41878 |archive-date=2007-10-11 }}

According to Kurdish officials, Iranian troops raided northern Iraq on August 23, 2007, inspecting several villages suspected of being PJAK strongholds.{{cite web | url=http://www.mcclatchydc.com/iraq/story/19172.html |title=Iranians attack Kurdish rebels in Iraq |publisher=Mcclatchydc.com |access-date=2011-04-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703071530/http://www.mcclatchydc.com/iraq/story/19172.html |archive-date=2009-07-03 }}

The Iranian news agency IRNA reported on October 11, 2008 that members of the paramilitary Basij units killed four PJAK militants in a clash close to the Iraqi border.{{cite web | url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/world/10098371.asp?scr=1 |title=Four Kurdish rebels killed in western Iran - IRNA |date=11 October 2008 |publisher=Hurriyet.com.tr |access-date=2008-11-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522143606/http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/world/10098371.asp?scr=1 |archive-date=2011-05-22 |url-status=live }}

In August 2008, under Iranian pressure, one of Iraqi Kurdistan's ruling parties, the PUK, launched an offensive against PJAK forces. KDP-leader and President of Iraqi Kurdistan, Massoud Barzani condemned PJAK operations against Iran multiple times.{{Cite web | url=http://www.thomasrenard.eu/uploads/6/3/5/8/6358199/jamestown7.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815033959/http://www.thomasrenard.eu/uploads/6/3/5/8/6358199/jamestown7.pdf |archive-date=2011-08-15 |url-status=live }}

On April 24, 2009, PJAK rebels attacked a police station in Kermanshah province. According to updated reports 18 policemen and 8 militants were killed in a fierce gun battle.[http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=288366&version=1&template_id=37&parent_id=17 Death toll 26 in battle with rebels] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606040020/http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=288366&version=1&template_id=37&parent_id=17 |date=2011-06-06}}, Gulf Times, May 2009. According to Iranian government sources, the attack resulted in 10 policemen and 10 militants being killed. According to the Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research, the attack, which occurred on April 24 and 25, involved PJAK attacks on two police stations in the cities of Ravansar in Northern Kermanshah province and in Sanandaj, the capital of Kurdistan province, killing eleven police officers, with more than ten PJAK militants reportedly killed.Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research, Conflict Barometer 2009. [http://hiik.de/en/konfliktbarometer/pdf/ConflictBarometer_2009.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018042316/http://www.hiik.de/en/konfliktbarometer/pdf/ConflictBarometer_2009.pdf|date=2011-10-18}}

Iran responded a week later by attacking PJAK positions along the border area of Panjwin inside Iraq using helicopters. According to Iraqi border guards officials, the area attacked by Iran was not considered a stronghold of PJAK, that appeared to have been the target of the raid. According to the ICRC, more than 800 Iraqi Kurds have been forced from their homes by the recent cross-border violence.[https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g6m-ToDsaFGVjTxLXC5jOcBK_VWQ Iran helicopters strike Iraq Kurd villages] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518002435/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g6m-ToDsaFGVjTxLXC5jOcBK_VWQ |date=2009-05-18 }}, AFP, May 2009.

In 2010, PJAK claimed responsibility for the deaths of 3 Revolutionary Guard soldiers in Khoy. Earlier in the year Iranian police arrested a suspect in the killing of a prosecutor in the same region during clashes with "Kurdish militants."{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

On 13 May 2010, Iraqi and Iranian border guards exchanged gunfire near the border village of Shamiran, after the Iranians mistook the Iraqis for members of PJAK. It was the first major incident between the two since December 2009, when Iran took control of a disputed oil well. The gunfight lasted 90 minutes and an Iraqi officer was captured.{{cite news|last1=Alawsat|first1=Asharq|title=Iraqi and Iranian Soldiers Trade Fire on Border|url=http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=20938|date=14 May 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707174219/http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=20938|archive-date=7 July 2011}}

On March 24, two Iranian police officers were killed and three others injured in two attacks in the city of Sanandaj in Kurdistan Province and on April 1 four border guards were killed and three others were wounded in an attack against a police station near the city of Marivan.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}} On April 4, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps said the perpetrators of the previous attacks in Sanandaj were killed.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

Two militants affiliated to PJAK were reported to have been killed and another wounded by the IRIB TV website on June 19, 2011, in Iran's northwestern town of Chaldran in West Azerbaijan province.{{cite web|url=http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2011/6/irankurd744.htm|title=Two Kurdish PJAK rebels killed in Iranian Kurdistan: TV|access-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111150740/http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2011/6/irankurd744.htm|archive-date=11 November 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

On 16 July 2011 the Iranian army launched a major offensive against PJAK compounds in the mountainous regions of northern Iraq. On July 17, the Revolutionary Guard killed at least five PJAK members and captured one named Saman Naseem,{{cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/02/iran-juvenile-offender-to-be-executed-in-a-week-gives-harrowing-torture-account|last=Amnesty International|title=Iran: juvenile offender to be executed in a week gives harrowing torture account|date=13 February 2015|access-date=5 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116083048/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/02/iran-juvenile-offender-to-be-executed-in-a-week-gives-harrowing-torture-account/|archive-date=16 November 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} in a raid that destroyed one of the group's headquarters in northwestern Iran. PJAK claimed 21 Iranian soldiers were killed in the clashes.{{cite news|url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/world/breakingnews/125710533.html|title=Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces kill 5 Kurdish rebels in raid near Iraqi border|newspaper=Winnipeg Free Press |agency=The Associated Press}}{{cite web|url=http://blogs.mediapart.fr/blog/maxime-azadi/160711/21-soldats-iraniens-tues-par-les-guerillas-kurdes|title=21 soldats iraniens tués par les guérillas kurdes|access-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314161253/http://blogs.mediapart.fr/blog/maxime-azadi/160711/21-soldats-iraniens-tues-par-les-guerillas-kurdes|archive-date=14 March 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} Iranian authorities on the other hand confirmed their casualties at 1 killed and 3 injured while claiming to have inflicted "heavy losses" on the militants.{{cite web|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2011/July/middleeast_July434.xml§ion=middleeast&col=|title=Iraq, Iran issue border demands after clashes - Khaleej Times|author=(AFP)|access-date=2019-04-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001184824/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data%2Fmiddleeast%2F2011%2FJuly%2Fmiddleeast_July434.xml§ion=middleeast&col=|archive-date=2012-10-01|url-status=live}} They announced that they had captured three militant bases, one of which was identified as Marvan and was said to be the leading PJAK camp in the region.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2011/me_iran0896_07_19.asp|title=Iran captures Kurdish bases in first Iraq offensive since 1980-88 war|access-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822131046/http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2011/me_iran0896_07_19.asp|archive-date=22 August 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} PJAK militants claimed that they only lost two fighters during the attack carried out by the Iranian forces.{{Cite news|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14189313 |title= Iranian troops attack Kurdish PJAK rebel bases in Iraq. |work= BBC News |date= 18 July 2011 }}

On July 20, PJAK killed 5 Revolutionary Guard members and one commander{{cite web|url=http://marg-kurd.blogfa.com/ |title=هه لوکانی کوردستان |access-date=2011-07-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530145535/http://marg-kurd.blogfa.com/ |archive-date=2011-05-30 }} while Revolutionary Guard forces killed 35 PJAK fighters and captured several others during clashes on July 25.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}} By July 26, more than 50 PJAK fighters and 8 Revolutionary Guards had been killed,{{Cite web|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20110729-kurd-rebels-kill-basij-militiaman-iran-agency|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110730053118/http://www.france24.com/en/20110729-kurd-rebels-kill-basij-militiaman-iran-agency|url-status=dead|title=Kurd rebels kill Basij militiaman: Iran agency|archivedate=July 30, 2011}} and at least 100 PJAK fighters had been wounded according to Iranian sources,{{cite web|url=http://www.islamidavet.com/english/2011/07/27/irgc-will-attack-pjak-terrorists-until-iraq-deploys-border-guards/ |title=Giris icin Tiklayiniz |access-date=26 January 2015 }} {{dead link|date=April 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} while over 800 people had been displaced by the fighting.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2011/07/26/deaths-reported-in-fighting-between-iran-kurd-rebels/|title=Deaths Reported in Fighting Between Iran, Kurd Rebels|access-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315185451/http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2011/07/26/deaths-reported-in-fighting-between-iran-kurd-rebels/|archive-date=15 March 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}{{verify source|date=October 2011}} At least 3 civilians were killed.{{Cite web |url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/Aug-03/Iran-shelling-of-Kurd-separatist-rebels-displaces-over-200-families.ashx#axzz1U3SMJ2Os |title=THE DAILY STAR :: News :: Middle East :: Iran shelling of Kurd separatist rebels displaces over 200 families |access-date=2011-08-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824165826/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/Aug-03/Iran-shelling-of-Kurd-separatist-rebels-displaces-over-200-families.ashx#axzz1U3SMJ2Os |archive-date=2011-08-24 |url-status=live }} During clashes in the Jasosan and Alotan heights the next day, Iranian forces claimed to have killed over 21 PJAK fighters, confirming that two Revolutionary Guards had been killed and two had been injured during the clashes.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

On July 29, suspected PJAK militants blew up the Iran-Turkey gas pipeline, which was repaired the next day. On August 1, Iranian forces killed 3 and arrested 4 of the militants said to be responsible for the attack, at least one of which was a Turkish citizen.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-pipeline-arrest-idUSTRE7703BX20110801 |work=Reuters |title=Iran kills, arrests people linked to gas pipeline blast |date=August 1, 2011 |access-date=October 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124033600/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/01/us-iran-pipeline-arrest-idUSTRE7703BX20110801 |archive-date=November 24, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

On August 5, the leader of the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), Rahman Haj Ahmedi, claimed that more than 300 Iranian Revolutionary Guards had been killed in a series of ambushes, while acknowledging 16 loses.{{cite web|url=http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/4/255417/ |title=Over 300 guards killed while engaging PJAK, says leader | Politics | AKNEWS.com |access-date=2011-08-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007212832/http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/4/255417/ |archive-date=2011-10-07 }} Iranian officials however, claimed to have killed over 150 PJAK forces during the operations,{{Cite web |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-08/15/c_131050928.htm |title=Iranian officials deny arrest of Kurdish PKK leader |access-date=2011-08-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108013331/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-08/15/c_131050928.htm |archive-date=2012-11-08 |url-status=dead }} confirming the deaths of only 17 Revolutionary Guards.{{cite web|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/11/aug/1179.html|title=Iran says PJAK surrender imminent|work=Payvand|access-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208024059/http://www.payvand.com/news/11/aug/1179.html|archive-date=8 December 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

On August 8, 2011, Abdul Rahman Haji Ahmadi, the leader of PJAK, said the armed militant group is prepared to negotiate with Iran and maintained that Kurdish issues need to be solved through "peaceful means". In an exclusive interview with Rudaw, Haji Ahmadi acknowledged that in some cases compromise is inevitable and indicated that PJAK is willing to lay down its arms. He said fighting may not help Kurds secure "political and cultural rights" in Iran.{{cite web |url=http://www.rudaw.net/english/news/iran/3878.html |title=Rudaw in English....The Happening: Latest News and Multimedia about Kurdistan, Iraq and the World - PJAK Leader: We're Prepared to Negotiate with Iran |access-date=2017-04-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120412132059/http://www.rudaw.net/english/news/iran/3878.html |archive-date=2012-04-12 }}

On August 8, 2011, Murat Karayılan, the leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) said they withdrew all PJAK fighters out of Iran and sent them to PKK camps in the Qandil mountains. He said they replaced PJAK forces on the Iranian border with PKK forces to prevent further clashes and called on Iran to end attacks because unlike the PJAK, the PKK was not at war with Iran.{{Cite web|url=https://sundayszaman.com/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002023851/http://www.sundayszaman.com/sunday/newsDetail_getNewsById.action?newsId=253210|url-status=dead|title=SundaysZaman|date=October 3, 2021|archivedate=October 2, 2011|website=SundaysZaman}} Karayılan released the following statement: "As the PKK, we have not declared any war against Iran. We do not wish to fight against the Islamic Republic of Iran either. Why? Because one of the aims of the international forces who seek to re-design the region is to besiege Iran. Currently, they are more preoccupied with Syria. If they just manage to work things out there as they wish, it will be Iran's turn next. As Kurds, we do not think it quite right to be involved in a war with Iran at such a stage. You have no interest in targeting the PKK. ... You must end this conflict. It is America that wants this conflict to go on. Because these attacks of yours serve America's interests. They want both the PKK and Iran to grow weaker."{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=why-would-iran-capture-karayilan-2011-08-15|title=Why would Iran capture Karayılan?|work=Hurriyet Daily News|access-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110908080741/http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=why-would-iran-capture-karayilan-2011-08-15|archive-date=8 September 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

On September 5, 2011, the Revolutionary Guard rejected the cease-fire declared by PJAK as "meaningless", as long as PJAK forces remained on the borders of the Islamic Republic. Iran also said its troops had killed 30 PJAK fighters and wounded 40 in several days of fighting.{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=236725|title=Iran rejects PJAK's cease-fire, demands withdrawal|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=13 November 2012 |access-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121223191721/http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=236725|archive-date=23 December 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}http://pukmedia.com/english/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9308:pjaks-ceasefire-awaits-irans-response&catid=30:kurdistan&Itemid=388 {{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

The battle ended inconclusively and on September 12, the cease fire was restored.{{cite web|url=http://www.gloria-center.org/2012/01/rebels-against-the-pasdaran/|title=Rebels Against The Pasdaran|access-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103104815/http://www.gloria-center.org/2012/01/rebels-against-the-pasdaran/|archive-date=3 January 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} Iranian officials claimed to have captured three PJAK camps and to have destroyed PJAK's military capability. The organization dismissed this, asserting that its fighters had defeated an Iranian attempt to seize the Qandil area.

On September 29, 2011, Iranian sources reported PJAK had officially surrendered after 180 deaths and 300 injured.{{cite web|url=http://www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/193711/%D9%BE%DA%98%D8%A7%DA%A9-%D8%A8%D8%A7-180-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D8%AA%D9%87-%D9%88-300-%D8%B2%D8%AE%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%84%DB%8C%D9%85-%D8%B4%D8%AF|title=پژاک با 180 کشته و 300 زخمی تسلیم شد|access-date=2011-09-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001112629/http://www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/193711/%D9%BE%DA%98%D8%A7%DA%A9-%D8%A8%D8%A7-180-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D8%AA%D9%87-%D9%88-300-%D8%B2%D8%AE%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%84%DB%8C%D9%85-%D8%B4%D8%AF|archive-date=2011-10-01|url-status=live}} According to another Iranian source, Iranian ambassador to Iraq Hassan Danaei-Far declared that they had cleared all areas of PJAK activities and that they had reached an agreement with the Iraqi central government and the Kurdistan Regional Government, in which they vowed to keep the border peaceful.{{cite web|url=http://www.isna.ir/ISNA/NewsView.aspx?ID%3DNews-1860998%26Lang%3DE |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-10-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008072340/http://isna.ir/isna/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-1860998&Lang=E |archive-date=2011-10-08 }} According to Fars news, Revolutionary Guard commander General Abdollah Araqi declared that the conflict had ended after PJAK had accepted Iran's terms and withdrawn all its forces from Iranian soil.

In late October 2011, President of Iraqi Kurdistan Massoud Barzani said in a visit to Tehran that an agreement had been reached between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the PJAK, in which the PJAK had agreed to end its armed activities in the region and that the borders between Iran and the Kurdistan Region would now be safe. {{Dead link|date=March 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://en.aswataliraq.info/Default.aspx?page=article_page&c=slideshow&id=145461|title=Safer border following agreement with PJAK - Barzani|access-date=11 November 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710160505/http://en.aswataliraq.info/Default.aspx?page=article_page&c=slideshow&id=145461|archive-date=10 July 2012}}

On December 28, 2011, Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps clashed with PJAK forces in Baneh in northwest Iran.{{cite web|url=http://www.radiozamaneh.com/english/content/irgc-forces-fight-kurdish-group|title=IRGC forces fight with Kurdish group - Radio Zamaneh: Independent Media, Debate and E-learning for Iran|access-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118215227/http://www.radiozamaneh.com/english/content/irgc-forces-fight-kurdish-group|archive-date=18 January 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/12/jan/1041.html|title=PJAK says Iran has violated ceasefire|work=Payvand|access-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103053142/http://www.payvand.com/news/12/jan/1041.html|archive-date=3 November 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} PJAK reported that it was attacked by Iranian government forces, which led to the death of nine government officials; PJAK says it sustained no casualties. The Fars news agency, which is close to the Revolutionary Guard, confirmed that a member of Basij, an IRGC sub-group, was killed in the conflict, adding that several PJAK members were wounded.

On early January, "Gloria Center" of the IDC published that despite the claims of the Iranians to have destroyed PJAK, the organization has survived the assault. PJAK was reported to be engaged in the construction of new defensive positions close to the border. On January 4, it was reported that the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) of Iran said Islamic Republic forces have violated the terms of the ceasefire between the two sides, relating to the Baneh clash, a week earlier.

On April 25, 2012, in a clash near Paveh, in Kermanshah province of Iran, 4 IRGC officers were killed and 4 others wounded. Casualties were also inflicted to PJAK, but there were no estimations available.{{cite web|url=http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2012/4/irankurd848.htm|title=Kurdish PJAK rebels kill four Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards|access-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026110759/http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2012/4/irankurd848.htm|archive-date=26 October 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.radiozamaneh.com/english/content/iranian-forces-conflict-pjak|title=Iranian forces in conflict with PJAK - Radio Zamaneh: Independent Media, Debate and E-learning for Iran|access-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426222215/http://www.radiozamaneh.com/english/content/iranian-forces-conflict-pjak|archive-date=26 April 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

During February 2013, 3 Iranian Revolutionary Guard soldiers died in separate clashes with PJAK.{{Cite web|url=https://www.farsnews.ir/news/13911202000448/یگان‌های-رزمی-سپاه-در-جنوب‌شرق-و-شمال‌غرب-سازمان‌دهی-تروریست‌ها-توسط|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015055622/http://www.farsnews.ir/newstext.php?nn=13911202000448|url-status=dead|title=خبرگزاری فارس - یگان‌های رزمی سپاه در جنوب‌شرق و شمال‌غرب/ سازمان‌دهی تروریست‌ها توسط کشورهای حاشیه خلیج فارس|date=February 20, 2013|archivedate=October 15, 2013|website=خبرگزاری فارس}}{{verify source|date=September 2013}} There were also two clashes between the PJAK and the IRGC in mid-April near areas along the border with Turkey.

A number of clashes between PJAK and Revolutionary Guard took place also in May 2013, with at least 2 Iranian soldiers killed.{{cite web|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=fa&ie=UTF-8&u=http://sardasht-ag.ir/tabid/1032/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/27730/-2-------.aspx&sl=fa&tl=en|title=Sardasht-ag.ir|access-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222021129/http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=fa&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fsardasht-ag.ir%2Ftabid%2F1032%2FarticleType%2FArticleView%2FarticleId%2F27730%2F-2-------.aspx&sl=fa&tl=en|archive-date=22 December 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

On June 6, 2013, Yusuf Hamzelu, a member of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, was killed near the northwestern border of Iran, according to Iran's Mehr News Agency.{{Cite web |url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/iran-Revolutionary-guard-syria.html |title=Al-Monitor. "Iranian Kurdish Struggle Linked to Turkey, Syria" |date=14 June 2013 |access-date=2014-04-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408221907/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/iran-Revolutionary-guard-syria.html |archive-date=2014-04-08 |url-status=live }} He was buried in Zandan on June 10. The Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), PKK's Iranian branch, denied the news report in a media release and actually accused Iran of hiding the fact that the Iranian soldier was killed by the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in Syria.

On early August, the Iran-based Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) announced that it is "ready to send fighters to Syrian Kurdistan to fight beside their people."{{cite web|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/170767#.UiyMkcZkOZ8|title=Iraqi Kurdish Leader Threatens Syria Intervention|work=Arutz Sheva|date=10 August 2013 |access-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111154643/http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/170767#.UiyMkcZkOZ8|archive-date=11 November 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

On August 14, 4 Revolutionary Guardsmen were killed and 3 wounded during mine dismantlement in Kurdistan province.{{cite web |url=http://archive.radiozamaneh.com/english/content/land-mines-kill-guards-kurdistan |title=Land mines kill guards in Kurdistan |publisher=Radio Zamaneh |date=2013-08-14 |access-date=2014-01-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022181341/http://archive.radiozamaneh.com/english/content/land-mines-kill-guards-kurdistan |archive-date=2013-10-22 |url-status=live }}

On August 19, a battle erupted in the Sardasht border area between Revolutionary Guard and PJAK, in which PJAK claimed to kill 7 Iranian soldiers and lose 2 fighters; Iran didn't comment on the event.

On October 10, 5{{cite web |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-10/11/c_125510936.htm |title=Five IRGC soldiers killed in clash with "terrorists" in western Iran |publisher=Xinhua News Agency |date=11 October 2013 |access-date=2014-01-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112172309/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-10/11/c_125510936.htm |archive-date=12 November 2013 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} IRGC members were killed in Kurdistan province.

During October, 9 civilian casualties were reported from Revolutionary Guard fire in Iranian Kurdistan province.{{cite web |url=http://ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2013/10/irankurd977.htm |title=Iran's Islamic revolutionary guard corps IRGC killed two Kurdish civilians |publisher=Ekurd.net |access-date=2014-01-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022162506/http://ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2013/10/irankurd977.htm |archive-date=2013-10-22 |url-status=live }} Also during October, 2 PJAK members were executed.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-kurds-idUSBRE9A00TE20131101|title=Iranian Kurd leader says West shouldn't be fooled by Rouhani|date=November 2013|work=Reuters|access-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114154642/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/01/us-iran-kurds-idUSBRE9A00TE20131101|archive-date=14 November 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all|last1=Hudson|first1=Alexandra}} Following the hanging of the two militants on October 25, some protests took place outside the Iranian consulate in Erbil, as well as in Iraqi Kurdistan.{{Cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/21/iran-influence-iraqi-kurdistan |title= Across the Zagros: Iranian influence in Iraqi Kurdistan. |website= TheGuardian.com |date= 21 November 2013 }}

On October 31, 1 Iranian border guard killed by militants.{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-10/31/c_132848931.htm|title=Kurdish rebels kill Iranian border guard: report|access-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131120193519/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-10/31/c_132848931.htm|archive-date=20 November 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

In June 2014, Iranian forces claimed to clash PJAK militants and killing at least 2 of them.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

In February 2015, Iran executed an individual accused of being a PJAK member.{{cite web|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20150220-iran-kurd-saman-naseem-minor-execution-fidh-children-rights/|title=Iran executes young Iranian Kurd despite global outcry|publisher=France 24|access-date=26 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223034935/http://www.france24.com/en/20150220-iran-kurd-saman-naseem-minor-execution-fidh-children-rights/|archive-date=23 February 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

On 20 May 2015, PJAK guerrillas killed an IRGC soldier in Marivan county, after a counter insurgency operation.{{cite web|url=http://kurdischenachrichten.com/2015/05/pjak-einheiten-toeten-einen-iranischen-soldaten/|title=PJAK-Einheiten töten einen iranischen Soldaten|work=Kurdische Nachrichten|date=23 May 2015|access-date=29 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216161638/http://kurdischenachrichten.com/2015/05/pjak-einheiten-toeten-einen-iranischen-soldaten/|archive-date=2015-12-16|url-status=dead}}

In August 2015, PJAK claimed killing 33 Iranian soldiers in two separate incidents{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/mideast/2015/08/07/pjak-strikes-iranian-military-guard-post-kills-20|title=PJAK strikes Iranian military guard post, kills 20|date=7 August 2015|work=DailySabah|access-date=12 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923222826/http://www.dailysabah.com/mideast/2015/08/07/pjak-strikes-iranian-military-guard-post-kills-20|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} with Iran confirming only five casualties.{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iran/Iranian-Kurdish-Party-says-killed-12-Revolutionary-Guards-in-attack-412067|title=Iranian Kurdish Party says killed 12 Revolutionary Guards in attack|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=13 August 2015 |access-date=2016-01-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414215502/http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iran/Iranian-Kurdish-Party-says-killed-12-Revolutionary-Guards-in-attack-412067|archive-date=2016-04-14|url-status=live}}

===2016===

PJAK has adopted hit-and-run assault tactics against Iranian forces, carrying them out with small arms and grenades. Following their attacks, PJAK militants often cross back into Iraq and into the regions of Iraqi Kurdistan. This tactic is often responsible for subsequent Iranian retaliation that results in civilian casualties, as it leads Iranian forces to mistake civilian villages with PJAK outposts and bases. PJAK is believed to have some heavier weaponry in its Mount Qandil camp such as RPGs and heavy machine-guns.

Iran has accused the PJAK group of operating as a proxy of hostile foreign intelligence services, namely the intelligence services of the United States, as well as those operated by Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom.{{cite journal|first=Chris|last=Zambelis|title=The Factors Behind Rebellion in Iranian Kurdistan|url=https://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/the-factors-behind-rebellion-in-iranian-kurdistan|journal=CTC Sentinel|publisher=Combating Terrorism Center|date=1 March 2011|volume=4|issue=3|access-date=24 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927013124/https://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/the-factors-behind-rebellion-in-iranian-kurdistan|archive-date=27 September 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} Moreover, Turkish authorities have made allegations on links between PJAK and the United States.İhsan Bal, M. Turgut Demirtepe. "USAK Yearbook of Politics and International Relations". Vol. 5. International Strategic Research Organization (USAK). 2012. p. 43. {{ISBN|6054030698}}.

Turkey has had cooperations with Iran to fight PKK and PJAK through Iran–Turkey High Security Commission. Both Iran and Turkey perceive PJAK as a threat and putting them through great challenges.{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/pkk-pjak-and-iran-implications-us-turkish-relations|title=The PKK, PJAK, and Iran: Implications for U.S.-Turkish Relations|website=The Washington Institute}}

According to the Jamestown Foundation's July 2006 Terrorism Monitor, PJAK's military operations are believed to be funded by Kurdish immigrant communities in Europe and Kurdish businessmen in Iran.

According to Aljazeera, Turkey's minister of interior has said that Turkey and Iran will conduct a joint operation to tackle the Kurdish activists. However, the minister did not disclose the time and location of the intended operation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/3/6/turkey-says-it-will-stage-raids-with-iran-against-kurdish-rebels|title=Turkey, Iran to target Kurd rebels together: Minister|website=www.aljazeera.com}}

Despite the supposed cooperation between Turkey and Iran, Turkey has accused Iran and its ally Syria of backing the PKK.{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/turkey/9518194/Syria-and-Iran-backing-Kurdish-terrorist-group-says-Turkey.html|title = Syria and Iran 'backing Kurdish terrorist group', says Turkey| date=3 September 2012 }}

Israel's relations with Kurds is traced back to the implementation of its "alliance of the periphery". It is commented that Israel and the Iranian Kurdish insurgent organizations have a common interest in weakening the Government of Islamic Republic of Iran.{{cite web|title=Israel and the Kurds: Love by Proxy|work=The American Interest|author=Ofra Bengio|date=18 March 2016|access-date=24 September 2016|url=http://www.the-american-interest.com/2016/03/18/israel-and-the-kurds-love-by-proxy/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002173939/http://www.the-american-interest.com/2016/03/18/israel-and-the-kurds-love-by-proxy/|archive-date=2 October 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

In November 2006, journalist Seymour Hersh writing in The New Yorker, supported foreign involvement, stating that the US military and the Israelis are giving the group equipment, training, and targeting information in order to cause destruction in Iran.{{cite news|first=Seymour M.|last=Hersh|title=The Next Act|date=November 20, 2006|magazine=The New Yorker|url=https://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/061127fa_fact|access-date=2006-11-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061123003130/http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/061127fa_fact|archive-date=November 23, 2006|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

A "security source in Baghdad" has told Georges Malbrunot of Le Figaro in 2012 that Mossad agents are actively recruiting Iranian Kurds in Iraqi Kurdistan and training them in spy-craft and sabotage.{{cite web|title=L'Iran défie l'Amérique|url=http://lefigaro.fr/international/2012/01/09/01003-20120109ARTFIG00640-l-iran-defie-l-amerique.php|newspaper=Le Figaro|language=fr|date=9 January 2012|access-date=24 September 2016|author=Georges Malbrunot|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009083856/http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2012/01/09/01003-20120109ARTFIG00640-l-iran-defie-l-amerique.php|archive-date=9 October 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} Also, "a government consultant with ties to the Pentagon" has confirmed that Israel has provided PJAK with "equipment and training" to carry out attacks against targets within Iran, according to Institute for Policy Studies.{{cite web|title=The Dreams and Dilemmas of Iraqi Kurdistan|url=http://fpif.org/the_dreams_and_dilemmas_of_iraqi_kurdistan/|work=Foreign Policy In Focus|date=24 January 2013|access-date=24 September 2016|author=Giorgio Cafiero|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011232431/http://fpif.org/the_dreams_and_dilemmas_of_iraqi_kurdistan/|archive-date=11 October 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

The U.S. and Israeli involvement is also acknowledged by several scholars, including Nader Entessar of University of South Alabama,Entessar, Nader. "Kurdish Politics in Regional Context". In Kurdish Politics in the Middle East. Rowman & Littlefield, 2010. p. 205. {{ISBN|0739140396}}, 9780739140390 Suleyman Elik of Istanbul Medeniyet UniversityElik, Suleyman. Iran–Turkey Relations, 1979–2011: Conceptualising the Dynamics of Politics, Religion and Security in Middle-Power States. Routledge. 2013. pp. 91–92. and Dilshod Achilov of East Tennessee State University.{{cite web | title=Iranian Nuclear Scientists: Is Israel Behind the Assassinations?| url=http://www.ibtimes.com/iranian-nuclear-scientists-israel-behind-assassinations-211664| work= International Business Times| date=17 January 2012| access-date=24 August 2016| author=Palash Ghosh| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927013101/http://www.ibtimes.com/iranian-nuclear-scientists-israel-behind-assassinations-211664| archive-date=27 September 2016| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}}

In a book published by Routledge in 2016, co-authors Robert Scheer and Reese Erlich write "[T]he Israelis are also helping train PJAK for its armed forays into Iran. But given the sentiment among Arabs and Muslims, the Israeli government tries to keep its activities quite".{{cite book | title=Iran Agenda: The Real Story of U.S. Policy and the Middle East Crisis| author=Reese Erlich, Robert Scheer| year=2016| publisher=Routledge| isbn=978-1317257370| page=140}} Phyllis Bennis also cites Israeli support.{{cite book | title=Ending the Iraq War: A Primer| author=Phyllis Bennis| year=2009| publisher=Olive Branch Press| isbn=978-1566567176| page=168| quote=PJAK is made up of Iranian Kurds whose members attack Iran rather than Turkey, but who are also based in the Kurdish region of Iraq. Israel supports PJAK's anti-Iran mobilization. The complication is that the US supports PJAK attacks in Iran, even while it condemns identical PKK attacks on Turkey.}}

However, PJAK has denied any relations with Israel.{{Cite web|title=Iranian Kurdish PJAK rebels deny ties to Israel|url=https://ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2011/10/irankurd802.htm|access-date=2021-01-10|website=ekurd.net}}

{{see also|Iran Freedom and Support Act}}

{{wikinews|Kucinich asks Bush about alleged US support for armed insurgency in Iran}}

Despite condemning PKK attacks against Turkey, the US government is said to be supporting PJAK. In early 2006, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice sought US$75 million in extra to fund "anti-government propaganda and opposition groups inside Iran".

On April 18, 2006, Congressman Dennis Kucinich sent a letter to President George W. Bush in which he expressed his judgment that the U.S. is likely to be supporting and coordinating PJAK, since PJAK operates and is based in Iraqi territory, which is under the control of the U.S. supported Kurdistan Regional Government.[http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=42505 Kucinich Questions the President On US Trained Insurgents In Iran: Sends Letter To President Bush] {{webarchive | url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060525160327/http://www.kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=42505 |date=2006-05-25}}, Dennis Kucinich, April 18, 2006

In an April 2009 interview with Turkish daily Akşam, former Chair of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board (2001–2005) Brent Scowcroft admitted that the United States "supported and encouraged" PJAK against Iran during Presidency of George W. Bush but Obama administration has ended this policy. On 4 February 2009, United States Department of the Treasury designated PJAK as a terrorist organization.{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN04297671| title=U.S. brands anti-Iran Kurdish group terrorist| date=4 February 2009| publisher=Reuters| access-date=27 March 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111191111/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN04297671| archive-date=11 November 2016| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}} Moreover, the former PJAK leader Haji Ahmadi has accused the US of fighting the Kurdish rebels alongside Turkey and Iran.

In an interview with Slate magazine in June 2006, PJAK spokesman Ihsan Warya was paraphrased as stating that he "nevertheless points out that PJAK really does wish it were an agent of the United States, and that [PJAK is] disappointed that Washington hasn't made contact." The Slate article continues stating that the PJAK wishes to be supported by and work with the United States in overthrowing the government of Iran in a similar way to the US eventually cooperated with Kurdish organisations in Iraq in overthrowing the government of Iraq during the most recent Iraq War.{{cite news | first=Graeme| last=Wood| title=Iran Bombs Iraq: Meet the Kurdish guerrillas who want to topple the Tehran regime| date=June 12, 2006| publisher=Microsoft| url=http://www.slate.com/id/2143492/?nav=fo| access-date=2006-12-02| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311124713/http://www.slate.com/id/2143492/?nav=fo| archive-date=March 11, 2007| url-status=live| df=mdy-all}}

One of the top officials in the PKK made a statement in late 2006, that "If the US is interested in PJAK, then it has to be interested in the PKK as well" referring to the alliance between the two groups and their memberships in the Kurdistan Democratic Confederation (KCK).{{cite web |url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=77119 |title=PKK commander says Washington 'has contact' with Kurdish rebels fighting Iran |work=Daily Star |access-date=2008-11-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011141656/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=77119 |archive-date=2008-10-11 |url-status=live }}

In August 2007, Haji Ahmadi, the leader of PJAK visited Washington, DC in order to seek more open support from the US both politically and militarily,{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20070804/FOREIGN/108040031/1003 |title=Kurdish leader seeks U.S. help to topple regime |work=The Washington Times |date=4 August 2007 |access-date=2008-11-10}} but it was later said that he only made limited contacts with officials in Washington. Biryar Gabar, a PJAK commander from Sanandaj told Newsweek that Haji Ahmadi's meeting was with the "high-level officials" and they have discussed "future of Iran". Washington has downplayed the event. Ahmadi, however, denied later any relations with the US and accused them of cooperating with Turkey and Iran.

In 2018, the PJAK suggested creating a coalition of Kurdish groups resisting the Iranian regime according to the Jerusalem Post.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/three-kurdish-groups-in-iran-are-now-fighting-the-irgc-564685|title=Three Kurdish groups in Iran are now fighting the IRGC|website=The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com|date=12 August 2018 }}

The Uppsala Conflict Data Program recorded 434 fatalities (ranging from 429 to 673) in the Iran–PJAK conflict from 2005 until 2011. These figures however do not include casualties from the year 2010.

According to numerous news reports from 2004 to present, casualties range between 669 and 979; these figures are a mix of PJAK claims, Iranian government claims and third party analysis.

2004 casualties: 10+ killed

• 2004 clashes – 10 Kurdish demonstrators killed, unknown number of Iranian security forces killed in retaliation by PJAK (first PJAK armed attack).

2005 casualties: 100–120 killed

During 2005, some 100–120{{cite web|url=http://www.jamestown.org/programs/gta/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=805&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=181&no_cache=1|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130113043829/http://www.jamestown.org/programs/gta/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=805&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=181&no_cache=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 January 2013|title=Iran's Kurdish Threat: PJAK|publisher=The Jamestown Foundation|access-date=11 November 2014}} Iranian security forces killed, according to PJAK claims; unknown PJAK casualties. According to Elling, 120 Iranian soldiers were killed in the conflict in 2005.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jc-sQxINL-4C&q=pjak+assassinated&pg=PA69|title=Minorities in Iran|isbn=9781137047809|access-date=26 January 2015|last1=Elling|first1=R.|date=18 February 2013|publisher=Springer }}

2006 casualties: 80–120+ killed

• February 2006 Maku demonstrations – 10 protesters killed.
• April 2006 Iran raids by PJAK – 26 killed.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}
• April 2006 Iraq raids by Iran – 10 militants killed.
• May 2006 Kermanshah bombing – five wounded.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}
• 27 May 2006 – 4 Iranian security forces killed in a clash near Mako.
• September 2006 Sardasht incident – 30+ PJAK killed and 40 injured, unknown Iranian casualties (Iranian claim).

2007 casualties: 102–114+ killed

• 2007 West Azerbaijan offensive – 89–101 killed.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}
• 2007 Iraq raid – unknown.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}
• 2008 West Azerbaijan clashes – 13 PJAK militants killed, 24 wounded (Iranian claim).{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}

2008 casualties: 28–100 killed

• 25 May-2 June clashes – 8{{cite web|url=http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2008/6/irankurdistan386.htm|title=PJAK: 92 Iranian soldiers, officers and counter guerillas have been killed|access-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026110755/http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2008/6/irankurdistan386.htm|archive-date=26 October 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} PJAK militants killed; 92 Iranian soldiers and para-militaries killed (PJAK claim). 21 PJAK and 7 Revolutionary Guards killed (Iranian claim){{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/07/07/080707fa_fact_hersh|title=Preparing the Battlefield|date=7 July 2008|magazine=The New Yorker|access-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329103624/http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/07/07/080707fa_fact_hersh|archive-date=29 March 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

2009 casualties: 20–26 killed

• Ravansar and Sanandaj police station attacks (2009) – 20–26 killed.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}

2010 casualties: 45 killed

• Mahabad bombing – 12 killed.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}
• 2010 Khoy incident – 3 Revolutionary Guards killed.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}
• 2010 Iraq raid – 30 militants killed.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}

2011 casualties: 223–344 killed

• March 2011 Sanandaj attacks – 2–3 Iranian police killed, 3-5 wounded; unknown number of PJAK also killed in retaliation.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
• April 1, 2011 Marivan attack – 4 Revolutionary Guards killed.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}
• June 2011 Chaldran clash – 2 militants killed, 1 wounded.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}
• 2011 cross-border raids (16 July – 5 September) – 210–326 killed.
• December 2011 Baneh clash – between 1 and 9 Revolutionary Guards killed, between none and 4 PJAK militants killed. Total: 5–9 killed.

2012 casualties: 4–8 killed

• April 25, 2012 – in Paveh (Kermanshah province), 4 Revolutionary Guards officers were killed and 4 others wounded; unknown casualties to PJAK.

2013 casualties: 44 killed and executed.

• February 2013 – 3 Revolutionary Guards killed in an incident.{{in lang|fa}} Fars News. [http://www.farsnews.ir/newstext.php?nn=13911202000448] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015055622/http://www.farsnews.ir/newstext.php?nn=13911202000448|date=2013-10-15}}
• 19 May 2013 – 2 Iranian soldiers killed (Iranian statement).{{cite web|url=http://www.iranhumanrights.org/2013/05/irgc_border/|title=Increased IRGC Forces Create Security State Atmosphere in Border Regions|date=23 May 2013|publisher=International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran|access-date=2013-10-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022133929/http://www.iranhumanrights.org/2013/05/irgc_border/|archive-date=2013-10-22|url-status=live}}
• August 14 – 4 Revolutionary Guards killed and 3 wounded during mine dismantlement in Kurdistan province.{{cite web|url=http://archive.radiozamaneh.com/english/content/land-mines-kill-guards-kurdistan|title=Land mines kill guards in Kurdistan|publisher=Radio Zamaneh|access-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022181341/http://archive.radiozamaneh.com/english/content/land-mines-kill-guards-kurdistan|archive-date=22 October 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
• 19 August 2013 – 7 Iranian soldiers and two PJAK militants killed in Sardash border clash (PJAK claim).{{cite web|url=http://gulfnews.com/in-focus/iran-elections/kurd-rebels-claim-to-kill-seven-iranian-soldiers-1.1224201|title=Kurd rebels claim to kill seven Iranian soldiers|date=26 August 2013 |access-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111150540/http://gulfnews.com/in-focus/iran-elections/kurd-rebels-claim-to-kill-seven-iranian-soldiers-1.1224201|archive-date=11 November 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
• October 10 – 5 Revolutionary Guards killed in Kurdistan province.{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-10/11/c_125510936.htm|title=Five IRGC soldiers killed in clash with "terrorists" in western Iran|publisher=Xinhua|access-date=11 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112172309/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-10/11/c_125510936.htm|archive-date=12 November 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

:October – 9 civilian casualties from IRGC fire.

:October 27 – 3 PJAK killed, 3 captured.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

:October – 2 PJAK members executed.

:October 31 – 1 Iranian border guard killed by rebels.

2014 casualties: 5–6+ killed

:January 4 – 1 civilian killed.[http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2014/1/irankurd1034.htm Iranian Kurdistan News in brief] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125160457/http://ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2014/1/irankurd1034.htm|date=2016-01-25}} "On Saturday, January 4, Iranian security forces shot and killed a 26-year-old Kurdish man by the name of Saman Khzri in the town of Sardasht." Ekurd.net.

:June 21 – 2+ PJAK killed.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

2015 casualties: 8–42+ killed

{{refn|group=note|See {{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/mideast/2015/08/07/pjak-strikes-iranian-military-guard-post-kills-20|title=PJAK strikes Iranian military guard post, kills 20|date=7 August 2015|work=DailySabah|access-date=11 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923222826/http://www.dailysabah.com/mideast/2015/08/07/pjak-strikes-iranian-military-guard-post-kills-20|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}"Iranian Kurdish Party says killed 12 Revolutionary Guards in attack. Iranian media claims only five Guards were killed in the attack." [http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iran/Iranian-Kurdish-Party-says-killed-12-Revolutionary-Guards-in-attack-412067] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414215502/http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iran/Iranian-Kurdish-Party-says-killed-12-Revolutionary-Guards-in-attack-412067 |date=2016-04-14 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.thetower.org/2288-iran-executes-second-kurdish-activist-this-month-despite-international-outcry/|title=Iran Executes Second Kurdish Activist this Month Despite International Outcry|date=28 August 2015|access-date=2016-01-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204102554/http://www.thetower.org/2288-iran-executes-second-kurdish-activist-this-month-despite-international-outcry/|archive-date=2016-12-04|url-status=live}}}}

• List of modern conflicts in the Middle East

{{reflist|group=note}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://pjak.org PJAK website] (in Persian, Sorani and English)
• [http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/jir/jir060628_1_n.shtml Extract from article about Kurdish Iranian militants] 28 June 2006

{{Post-Cold War Asian conflicts}}

{{Ongoing military conflicts}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Iran-PJAK conflict}}

Category:21st-century conflicts

Category:History of the Kurdish people

Category:Wars involving Iran

Category:Kurdish separatism in Iran

Category:Kurdish rebellions in Iran

Category:2000s conflicts

Category:2010s conflicts

Category:Iran–Turkey relations