In response to Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory, the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), an armed Kurdish group advocating for democratic autonomy in Iran’s Kurdish region (known in Kurdish as Rojhilat), has warned that neither military conflict nor authoritarian rule can bring lasting freedom. In a statement released on Saturday, PJAK called for local organising, social solidarity and community defence in response to the crisis.
It emphasised that its responsibility is to protect the people of Iran and Rojhilat from both foreign attacks and internal repression. “Freedom for Iran will come through the people’s democratic struggle and the ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ [Women, Life, Freedom] revolution,” the statement said, referring to the Kurdish-origin feminist slogan widely adopted during the 2022–2023 protests in Iran.
The group urged all communities to strengthen civil society by forming grassroots organisations, emergency response networks, and local governance structures. It also called for government-aligned groups to be kept at a distance in conflict-affected areas, arguing that doing so would help lay the foundations for a democratic and autonomous society.
PJAK did not express support for either side in the current military confrontation, but made clear its opposition to war and authoritarianism. “There are options beyond war and dictatorship,” the group stated, emphasising the need to build civilian-led structures that reduce the humanitarian toll of conflict and empower local communities.
In its concluding remarks, PJAK appealed to its members, supporters and others across society to assist those affected by violence and to prioritise community-based resistance grounded in democratic values.
