– Iran has been increasing pressure on Iranian Kurdish political parties that advocate Kurdish autonomy or independence. These parties have bases in neighboring Iraqi Kurdistan.
– Recently, Iran signed a security pact with Iraqi Kurdistan. This deal gave Iran leverage to ask Iraqi Kurdish authorities to disarm Iranian Kurdish parties based in Iraq.
– As part of the pact, Iraqi Kurdistan agreed not to allow these parties to conduct military activities against Iran from Iraqi territory. They will also prevent the parties from rearming.
– The two main Iranian Kurdish groups targeted are Komala and KDPI (Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran). Both advocate autonomy or independence for Iranian Kurds.
– Disarming these groups will weaken Kurdish opposition to Iranian rule in the northwestern Kurdish-majority regions. It is seen as a victory for Iran in curbing separatist threats along its Kurdish border areas.
– However, the Iranian Kurdish parties say the move will not end their political activities and pursuits of rights for Iranian Kurds through non-violent means.
Source: Medya News