Kurdish Forces Await Strategic Moment to Challenge Tehran

Iranian Kurdish opposition groups are poised for potential action against Tehran, but they emphasize a cautious approach as the broader conflict involving the United States and Israel unfolds. In an exclusive interview, Khalid Azizi, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI), stated that while Kurdish forces are prepared to strike, they will refrain from launching a ground offensive at this time.

Azizi highlighted that the Kurdish fighters are closely monitoring the evolving situation but have no immediate plans for military engagement. Reports have circulated that former President Donald Trump spoke with Mustafa Hijri, the leader of the KDPI, regarding possible Kurdish involvement in exerting pressure on Iran. Azizi did not confirm or deny these discussions.

The context for this readiness comes from a history of violent encounters between Kurdish groups and Iran. Notably, in 2018, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted the KDPI’s headquarters in Koy Sanjaq, located in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 individuals and injuries to many others. Azizi himself was injured in that attack, underscoring the risks faced by Kurdish forces. He stated, “We have been targeted by the Islamic Republic,” reflecting the ongoing tensions.

Despite these challenges, Azizi expressed confidence in the resilience of the Kurdish resistance, stating, “The Iranian Kurdish resistance movement is actually very strong because we have been on the ground since the Iranian revolution.” He is currently in Washington, D.C., where Kurdish representatives are engaging with policymakers to discuss the situation in Iran and the potential role of Kurdish groups if the conflict escalates.

Kurdish forces are currently adopting a wait-and-see approach. Azizi remarked, “We are ready and our party is well organized,” but he added that an immediate entry into Iranian Kurdistan is not being considered. He emphasized the complexities of initiating a war, saying, “It’s very easy to start a war, but it will be more complicated how to end this war.”

The KDPI is one of the oldest Kurdish opposition movements, having opposed Iran’s Islamic Republic since the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Recently, the group has made strides in unifying various Kurdish political factions into an alliance known as the Coalition of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan. This coalition aims to coordinate strategies among historically divided groups opposing the Iranian regime.

Azizi believes that any significant change in Iran will largely depend on whether the Iranian populace rises against the government. He stated, “If you look at the goal of the United States and Israel in this war, they have been targeting the Iranian military, security and political institutions. In this aspect, Iran has been weakened.” However, he pointed out that the regime remains intact, as there is currently no widespread uprising or alternative leadership to replace it.

He urged Western governments not only to focus on military actions against Iran but also to support political coordination among Iranian opposition movements. Azizi described Iran as a multi-ethnic country, asserting that its future stability hinges on the establishment of a democratic system inclusive of all ethnic groups. “The path and the roadmap for rebuilding Iran must be based on the participation of all ethnic groups,” he stressed.

As tensions continue to rise, Kurdish fighters remain in a state of readiness but are cautious about making any immediate decisions regarding their involvement in Iranian Kurdistan. Azizi concluded, “We have the ability and we have the capacity, but it is not easy right now for us to make any decision regarding entering Iranian Kurdistan.”