YRK clashes with Iran in solidarity with protesters

An armed Kurdish opposition party on Tuesday clashed with Iranian guards after the country militarized Kurdish cities following a protest for the killing of Kulbaran (border couriers). 

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – An armed Kurdish opposition party on Tuesday clashed with Iranian guards after the country militarized Kurdish cities following a protest for the killing of Kulbaran (border couriers). 

East Kurdistan Force (YRK), the armed branch of KODAR, formerly known as PJAK, attacked an Iranian military outpost in the Sawan village on Tuesday afternoon, killing two soldiers in retaliation for the two killed Kulbar, ANF reported.

Earlier today, KODAR released a statement in solidarity with the peaceful protesters who were wounded and detained in Baneh for seeking justice after a young man and a father of two were shot to death by border guards on Monday.

KODAR is an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) that has been fighting the Turkish government for Kurdish rights.

Iranian Kurds on Tuesday shut bazaars and demonstrated in protest of the continuous and random killing of Kulbaran by border guards.

Demonstrators asked the governor to bring perpetrators to justice or resign. In response, Iranian authorities militarized the city and temporarily detained several protesters.

At least 10 people have been injured, and four others have been arrested, locals said.

An official in Sanandaj defended the killings, saying the victims were “smugglers, carrying dangerous goods.” His remarks further outraged an angry crowd.

A Baneh official asked people to calm down and claimed the soldiers who opened fire on the Kulbaran on Monday were arrested.

However, protesters say they have heard these promises too many times before and have lost trust.

Activists in Mariwan have asked people to gather for a peaceful protest on Wednesday to support their brethren in Baneh.

 

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany