ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - An Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps member was killed in Iran’s West Azerbaijan province, state-affiliated media reported Wednesday, amid increased tensions between Tehran and Kurdish armed opposition groups.
“One of the brave Zanjani guards, named Yousef Mohammadi, attained martyrdom in the fight against terrorist groups in the Sardasht region,” the Iranian Students' News Agency reported.
The statement did not identify the group, and no Kurdish parties immediately claimed responsibility. Iran routinely labels Kurdish opposition groups as “separatists" and “terrorists,” using the designations to justify preemptive attacks inside and outside the country.
Multiple clashes between Iranian forces and Kurdish opposition groups have occurred since early last week in the western Kurdish regions, known as Rojhelat. Several IRGC and Kurdish fighters have been killed.
Last Thursday, the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, or KDPI, reported the killing of six of its members near Piranshahr after they fell into “an ambush by a massive and well-prepared” IRGC-affiliated force.
Other clashes occurred in Mahabad, Baneh and Paveh.
The Free Life Party of Kurdistan, known as PJAK, has also engaged in separate clashes with Iranian forces. On Monday, the group announced four of its fighters were killed by the IRGC in Mahabad.
The group said Iranian forces have “significantly increased their attacks,” adding that they are “taking advantage of this current situation” to target Kurdish fighters with “cowardly attacks.”
Iranian judicial authorities issued global arrest warrants and Interpol Red Notices in early July for the leaders of several Kurdish opposition groups. Extradition requests were submitted to the Iraqi government and multiple European nations.
Meanwhile, Iran has resumed targeting Kurdish opposition groups based in the Kurdistan Region. According to Rudaw’s tracking, at least 875 drones and missiles hit the region between late February and last week.
