The Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), an armed Kurdish militant group in Iran, said the Kurds would not fight other powers’ wars and said the Iranian state needs to change its behaviour or else it is heading towards collapse.
The PJAK, which is aligned with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) of Turkiye, has sought greater autonomy for the Kurdish region in Iran (‘Eastern Kurdistan’). The group recently came under the spotlight as U.S. President Donald Trump said he would welcome Kurdish militants in Iran joining the war against the Iranian state. The U.S. and Israel launched the war on February 28, by striking Tehran and killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Mr. Trump later ruled out Kurdish involvement but there were reports in American media that Iranian Kurdish groups were getting support from the U.S. and Israel.
“We do not act according to any other power. We ourselves will do what is necessary and we will make the necessary decisions accordingly,” PJAK co-chair Peyman Viyan told The Hindu in an interview when asked about Mr. Trump’s comments. “Of course, we have relations with all powers. But as the parties of East Kurdistan, we will definitely make our own decisions. We will do what serves the interests of our people,” said Ms. Viyan.
Asked whether the Kurdish groups were getting support from Israel and the U.S., she said: “No one has helped us. We have been leading a struggle against the Iranian regime for years with our inherent strength.”
The PJAK, which has fought intermittent armed struggle against the state, said, “time has come for the Iranian state to change… If it does not try to change itself and insist on its policies, it will be changed in some way.”
She added that the PJAK wants “a Democratic Republic of Iran. A democratic republic will guarantee the rights of all peoples. We all own Iran. Iran is home for all of us. Not just for some.”
The Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), an armed Kurdish militant group in Iran, came under spotlight recently after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would welcome their involvement in the ongoing war against Iran. The PJAK, which is aligned with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) of Turkey, has sought greater autonomy for the Kurdish region in Iran (‘Eastern Kurdistan’). Mr. Trump later ruled out Kurdish involvement in the war, but reports suggested that Kurdish militias were getting support from the U.S. and Israel. In a written interview with The Hindu, Peyman Viyan, co-chair of the PJAK, says Kurds in Iran are not fighting for others. “We ourselves will do what is necessary and we will make the necessary decisions accordingly,” says Ms. Viyan.
How does PJAK assess the ongoing U.S.–Israeli war on Iran? Do you see it as a turning point for Iran and the wider region?
The time has come for the Iranian nation-state to change. If it does not try to change itself and insist on its policies, it will be changed in some way. Iran wants to expand its hegemony in the region. It has been working for this for years. Within the framework of the Abraham Accords, West Asia is being redesigned. Israel wants to be the hegemon and dominate the region. The current war in Iran has its roots in the Gulf War of 1991. Since the current regime has not been able to change itself and has not responded to the demands of the Iranian people, it is now heading towards collapse. The Iranian regime will try to expand the war in the region in order to extend its life. In the current situation, one cannot say when exactly, but this regime can no longer stand on its own feet. It needs to change somehow.
From your perspective on the ground, how has the conflict changed the security situation in Kurdish areas of Iran?
First of all, as the Kurdish people, we have a clear perspective of building a democratic and free society for the whole of Iran without war. We want Iran to become democratic. A democratic Iran will also guarantee the rights of the Kurds. The Kurds are not a people apart from Iran and have never had any desire other than the unity of all the peoples of Iran. The organisation of the Kurds will cause all Iranian peoples to organise themselves properly and institutionalise themselves. Just as the Kurds are today an important actor in West Asia and everyone takes them into account, there are also expectations in Iran from the Kurds and their movement. Yes, we are an organisational, political and military force. We have a lot of experience in the military field. We will do whatever we can to protect our people. Instead of waging meaningless wars, our strategy is based on self-defence.
What is PJAK’s current strategy in light of the war?
It would be wrong and incorrect to define PJAK solely as force of war. Some foreign powers and those who want to portray the Kurds in a bad light always argue in a way as if our only option was military. Yes, we currently find ourselves in a period of war, but this does not mean that our own choice to achieve the freedom of Iran is war. As I mentioned above, we have a defence force and are always ready to protect the people. We will take action if necessary. But we know that four years ago, the Women, Life, Freedom Revolution began in Iran with a women-led uprising. Women are the force for change in society. This regime has reached this point today because of the women’s struggle. Kurdish women have played a leading role here and will always do. We believe that through the power of Jin, Jiyan, Azadî, a democratic republic and a free society will be established in Iran. This is not a slogan. We will insist on this.
There have been reports suggesting that U.S. President Donald Trump wants Kurdish groups to open an insurgency against Iran. Has PJAK received any such signals or requests? And what would be your response?
We do not act according to any other power. We ourselves will do what is necessary and we will make the necessary decisions accordingly. Of course, we have relations with all powers. But as the parties of East Kurdistan, we will definitely make our own decisions. We will do what serves the interests of our people.
Some reports have suggested that the CIA and Israel may be providing support, including weapons, to Kurdish groups fighting Iran. What is your response to these claims?
No one has helped us. We have been leading a struggle against the Iranian regime for years with our inherent strength.
Reports indicate that Iran carried out a severe crackdown in Kurdish areas in January. How would you describe what happened during that period?
That is true. But not only in Kurdistan. Thousands of people were killed by the murderous regime throughout Iran in January. The blood of those martyrs will not be left in vain. The statistics released to the public show that many innocent people were murdered by the regime. Thousands have also been arrested and many have been executed. But the Iranian people are very resilient. Despite all this oppression, they have not left their homeland. Even now, while the war in Iran continues, a very small number of people have actually left the country.
What are PJAK’s core political demands today — autonomy, federalism, or broader democratic reforms within Iran?
As I mentioned before, we want a Democratic Republic of Iran. A democratic republic will guarantee the rights of all peoples. We all own Iran. Iran is home for all of us. Not just for some.
Do you believe the current war could lead to internal instability or fragmentation in Iran?
This depends on the attitude of the peoples. The peoples of Iran have a historical past of living together. Regimes may have always wanted to divide and separate the peoples. But we have an ancient history of living together. No one can divide us. War brings destruction and divisions. For this reason, we must act more cautiously than ever. We must not allow some people to take advantage of the war and try to divide and separate us. We must also establish our own joint social, political and military committees. The pain of a Kurd in Sine, Urmia or Kermanshah is the same as the pain of an Azeri in Tabriz. It is the same as the pain of a Mazandaran, a Tehrani or a Shirazian. Kurdistan has always felt the pain of Balochistan and has kept it in its heart. An Arab or a Turkmen in Iran has always seen the Kurds as close to them and felt love for them. That is why we are one soul within the great body of ancient Iran. Democracy is our unifying strength. At the same time, we must also prepare ourselves for all eventualities and, most importantly, defend ourselves under all circumstances.
