Kurdish Separatists Escalate Conflict with Iran Amid Protests

The Kurdish Freedom Party (PAK) in Iraq has launched retaliatory attacks on Iran's Revolutionary Guard due to Tehran's crackdown on protests. The group claims responsibility for armed operations and anticipates Iranian retaliation on their Iraqi bases. Iraq agreements to disarm Kurdish groups have not quelled their activities.


Devdiscourse News Desk | Irbil | Updated: 16-01-2026 19:27 IST | Created: 16-01-2026 19:27 IST
Kurdish Separatists Escalate Conflict with Iran Amid Protests

The Iranian Kurdish separatist group, the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), has initiated a series of attacks on the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. The group claims these actions are in response to Iran's severe measures against ongoing protests, according to PAK representative Jwansher Rafati.

Stationed in Iraq's Kurdish region, these dissident groups, including PAK, have historically been contentious for both Iraq and Iran. Historically, Iran has launched strikes on their locations, though no such actions have been noted since the recent demonstrations began.

The PAK operations have further complicated Iraq's diplomatic standing with Iran, which exerts considerable influence over Baghdad. The Iraqi government had previously agreed to relocate and disarm these groups, but their activities persist, challenging the region's stability.

(With inputs from agencies.)

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