In the most recent wave of clashes between political factions in Iranian Kurdistan (Rojhilat) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), one of the senior commanders of Komala was killed near Marivan, Iranian Kurdistan. Amid the escalating tensions, vast swathes of Kurdistan’s forests were set ablaze due to IRGC bombardment.
According to Medya News’ reporters in Iranian Kurdistan, on 19 September, intense clashes erupted in the Soren forests of Marivan between the forces of Komala (the Society of the Revolutionary Toilers of Kurdistan) and the IRGC. The confrontation, which lasted from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m., culminated in the death of Ribwar Karimian, a senior commander and a member of Komala’s executive committee. The most recent reports indicate that, alongside Karimian, three additional members of the party also lost their lives.
Fariba Mohammadi of Komala confirmed the news of Karimian’s death.
In an official statement, Komala expressed profound regret over the loss of their leader, confirming that he had been slain during the conflict on 19 September.
Although Iranian sources initially reported the death of another senior Komala member, Amjad Hossein Panahi, Panahi himself refuted the claims in an interview with Voice of America.
Local sources affiliated with Medya News also reported fatalities among IRGC personnel, although the organisation has only acknowledged the injury of one of its members. Following the clash, IRGC forces shelled parts of the border region, igniting a significant forest fire. Despite the efforts of environmental activists and members of the Green Chia Association, the IRGC succeeded in blocking access, allowing the blaze to continue until 20 September.
The Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) reported that Komala members had resisted relocation to refugee camps after the implementation of the Iran-Iraq security agreement concerning the disarmament of Kurdish opposition factions. The group attempted to enter the Marivan region at 3 a.m. on Thursday but was ambushed by IRGC forces.
As a result of the skirmishes, Marivan and its neighbouring villages are now under intense militarisation, with a heightened security atmosphere prevailing across the region.
The IRGC’s public relations department has confirmed the clashes, with state-run media outlet ISNA reporting that Karimian, who they describe as a member of Komala’s leadership, was killed “while entering the country and in a military engagement”.
Akam News, which is affiliated with Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence, described the arrival of Komala forces in Marivan as a “flagrant violation” of the bilateral security agreement between Iran, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The outlet stressed the accountability of Iraq and the KRG, asserting that the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves the right to target prominent Komala members wherever they may be.
Following the 2022 Jin, Jiyan, Azadî uprising, the Islamic Republic of Iran has increasingly regarded Kurdish resistance and political factions as significant threats, and has sought to forcibly relocate members of these parties to other countries in the wake of their disarmament.
