Five Kurdish Parties Form Political Alliance in Eastern Kurdistan

Five major Kurdish parties operating in Iran have announced the formation of a new umbrella platform, the “Political Forces Alliance of Kurdistan–Iran,” aimed at coordinating their struggle against the Islamic Republic. The move comes amid heightened political tensions inside Iran and renewed debate over Kurdish political rights.

New Alliance Announced

Five Kurdish political movements — the Kurdistan Democratic Party–Iran, Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK), the Khabat Organization of Kurdistan–Iran, the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), and the Komala Workers of Kurdistan — said they had reached agreement after extensive discussions to establish the “Political Forces Alliance of Kurdistan.”

In a joint statement, the parties said the alliance was formed in response to the current political environment in Iran and aimed to unify Kurdish political efforts in what they refer to as Eastern Kurdistan.

Call for Self-Determination

The statement said Kurdish political movements in Iran have conducted “organized and continuous struggle” against what they described as a centralized and authoritarian system.

The alliance declared its primary objective as the overthrow of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the achievement of the Kurdish people’s right to self-determination. It said this would enable the establishment of a “national and democratic entity” based on Kurdish political will in Eastern Kurdistan.

The parties also pledged support for nationwide protests against the Iranian government and stated that any future cooperation with other political actors would depend on recognition of national rights, democratic principles, and rejection of dictatorship.

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Emphasis on Democratic Governance

The statement stressed commitments to environmental protection, social justice, gender equality, free elections, and protection of ethnic and religious rights in Kurdish-majority areas. It also called for the establishment of a democratic administrative system in Eastern Kurdistan to ensure security and stability.

The signatories said political unity and coordinated struggle were necessary to strengthen the Kurdish position in Iran’s shifting political landscape and expressed openness to broader cooperation beyond the alliance framework.

Regional Context

Iranian Kurdish factions have long maintained bases in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, which borders Iran. These sites have repeatedly been targeted by cross-border Iranian strikes. Tehran accuses the groups of fomenting unrest and conducting attacks inside Iranian territory, allegations the organizations deny.

The announcement comes amid ongoing political and economic tensions in Iran following nationwide protests that intensified after the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish woman whose detention by morality police sparked widespread demonstrations.

Iran designates these Kurdish factions as terrorist organizations. The groups, however, say they have increasingly shifted toward political mobilization in recent years after decades of armed confrontation.

Potential Implications for Turkey

One of the signatories, PJAK, is labeled by Ankara as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Turkey designates as a terrorist organization.

The formation of the alliance may heighten security concerns in Turkey. Ankara could view the move as a sign that Kurdish militant networks might reconfigure regionally rather than disband. Turkish officials have long expressed concern that PKK elements operating in Iraq could shift personnel or equipment toward Iranian Kurdish groups, potentially affecting Turkey’s own security environment.

A New Phase?

The creation of the Political Forces Alliance of Kurdistan–Iran signals a potential consolidation of Kurdish political actors inside and outside Iran at a time of domestic strain and regional uncertainty.

Whether the alliance evolves into a coordinated political platform or reshapes the balance between armed and political activity remains to be seen.

Kurdish news sources

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