Iran–PJAK conflict

Iran–PJAK conflict
	Part of Kurdish separatism in Iran
	; Kurdish areas in Iran where the PJAK insurrection is concentrated
Date	1 April 2004 – present
Location	West-Azerbaijan, Kurdistan and Kermanshah Provinces in Iran, Kurdistan Region in Iraq and Ağrı Province in Turkey
Status	Ongoing First cease fire established in September 2011, as Iran's government claimed victory, while PJAK allegedly withdrew from Iranian territory.; PJAK redeploy their positions across the Iran–Iraq border.; Sporadic clashes take place in 2013–2015; A wider conflict erupts in 2016;
Belligerents
Iran; Supported by:; Turkey (allegedly, denied by Iran); United States (alleged by PJAK, since 2009)	Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) Eastern Kurdistan Units (YRK); Women's Defence Forces (HPJ);
Commanders and leaders
Current:; Ali Khamenei (2004–present); Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani (2021–present); Ahmad Vahidi (2009–present); Mohammad Bagheri (2016–present); Abdolrahim Mousavi (2017–present); Hossein Salami (2019–present); Ahmad-Reza Radan (2023–present); Former:; Qassem Soleimani (2011-2020) †; Ali Shamkhani (2004–2005); Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar (2005–2013); Hossein Dehghan (2013–2017); Amir Hatami (2017–2021); Abdolvahed Mousavi Lari (2004–2005); Mostafa Pourmohammadi (2005–19 May 2008); Seyyed Mehdi Hashemi (15 May 2008–5 August 2008); Ali Kordan (12 August 2008–4 November 2008); Kamran Daneshjoo (4 November 2008–24 December 2008); Sadegh Mahsouli (24 December 2008–2009); Hassan Firouzabadi (2004–2016); Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli (2017–2021); Mohammad Salimi (2004–2005); Ataollah Salehi (2005–2017); Yahya Rahim Safavi (2004–2007); Mohammed Ali Jafari (2007–2019); Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (2004–2005); Ali Abdollahi (2005); Esmail Ahmadi-Moghaddam (2005–2015); Hossein Ashtari (2015–2023);	Haji Ahmadi (2004–2011); Majid Kavian †; Murat Karasac †; Agiri Rojhilat; Zanar Agri; Ihsan Warya; Akif Zagros; Gulistan Dugan; Resit Ehkendi (POW)
Strength
15,000 (according to PJAK)	600–1,000 fighters; 2,000–3,000 fighters (according to PJAK).
Casualties and losses
PJAK claim; 539 KIA (536 Revolutionary Guard, 3 police officers); 1 helicopter shot down (2004–14, see below); Iranian claim; 64 KIA Iran's statement	263 KIA; 2 executed; 40 Kurdish civilians killed (2004–14, see below)
	Total: 669–979+ fatalities:; 429–673 fatalities (Uppsala data 2005–09, 2011); 669–979 casualties (2004–15, see below)

The Iran–PJAK conflict is an armed conflict between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Kurdish rebels of the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), which began in 2004. The group has carried out numerous attacks in the Kurdistan Province of Iran and provinces of Western Iran. PJAK is closely affiliated with the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the primary opponent of the Republic of Turkey in the Kurdish–Turkish conflict. PJAK has been designated as a terrorist organization by Iran, Japan, Turkey, and the United States.

Following massive clashes in summer 2011, a cease-fire was declared between the parties, with Iran claiming victory and PJAK allegedly ending all armed operations as of 29 September 2011. Since then, several violent incidents have occurred, including the December 2011 Baneh clash and another clash in April 2012. In 2013, the confrontations became more frequent, including clashes in May, the August 2013 Sardasht clash and more events in October. The heavy 2016 West Iran clashes took place on 19 April.

As with the PKK, PJAK leaders say their long-term goals are to establish an autonomous Kurdish region within the Iranian state. It is mainly focused on replacing Iran's current form of government with a democratic and federal government.

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