ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Deadly clashes have occurred over the weekend between Iranian security forces and armed groups in the mountainous regions of Iranian Kurdistan.
On Saturday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it had destroyed a “terrorist armed group” in the city of Oshnavieh, according to Tasnim news agency. The IRGC said its forces killed seven combatants without suffering any casualties.
The Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) released a statement on Sunday confirming its forces had clashed with the IRGC in Oshnavieh. However, it claimed nine IRGC soldiers were killed and 18 wounded.
On Sunday, Mohammad Pakpour, the head of the IRGC, told Tasnim: “Two more terrorist groups in Oshnavieh and Sarwabad in the west part of the country were destroyed by the IRGC forces.”
Of these groups, six were killed and three injured, said Pakpour.
Mustafa Hijri, leader of KDPI, and Abdullah Mohtadi, secretary of the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KPIK), are both currently in Washington participating in seminars and meeting with US officials, congressmen and academics.
Both the visit to the US and recent clashes at home suggest Kurdish parties are stepping up pressure on the Tehran government.
In 2015, the KDPI announced it was ending its two-decade ceasefire with the regime.
On Saturday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it had destroyed a “terrorist armed group” in the city of Oshnavieh, according to Tasnim news agency. The IRGC said its forces killed seven combatants without suffering any casualties.
The Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) released a statement on Sunday confirming its forces had clashed with the IRGC in Oshnavieh. However, it claimed nine IRGC soldiers were killed and 18 wounded.
On Sunday, Mohammad Pakpour, the head of the IRGC, told Tasnim: “Two more terrorist groups in Oshnavieh and Sarwabad in the west part of the country were destroyed by the IRGC forces.”
Of these groups, six were killed and three injured, said Pakpour.
Mustafa Hijri, leader of KDPI, and Abdullah Mohtadi, secretary of the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KPIK), are both currently in Washington participating in seminars and meeting with US officials, congressmen and academics.
Both the visit to the US and recent clashes at home suggest Kurdish parties are stepping up pressure on the Tehran government.
In 2015, the KDPI announced it was ending its two-decade ceasefire with the regime.
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