August 2013 Sardasht clash explained

Conflict:Sardasht clash
Partof:the Iran–PJAK conflict
Date:August 22, 2013
Place:Sardasht, West Azerbaijan border area, North-Western Iran
Combatant1:
Combatant2: Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK)
Strength1:Unknown
Strength2:Unknown
Casualties1:7 killed (PJAK claim)
Casualties2:2 killed (PJAK claim)
Casualties3:Total: 9 killed[1]

August 2013 Sardasht clash was a military confrontation on August 22 between Iranian security forces belonging to the Basij, the paramilitary branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) militants. The event is a part of the Iran-PJAK conflict, lasting from 2004, and despite the cease-fire of September 2011, producing more violence. Since the cease-fire in September 2011, when Iran declared to have destroyed the PJAK (claiming the "PJAK issue is over"), several more armed confrontations followed including December 2011 clash in Baneh, April 2012 battle, May 2013 clashes and this most recent Sardasht incident.

Iranian sources didn't specifically report of the August 22 event, however on August 26, a statement was issued by IRGC representative on Fars News that "Twelve terrorist groups have been neutralized in Iran from March 20, 2013 until today...".[2] He also added that IRGC closely supervises the movements of PJAK groups, adding that Iran's western regions are secured.[2]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kurd rebels claim to kill seven Iranian soldiers. 26 August 2013 . 29 November 2014.
  2. Web site: IRGC commander says 12 terrorist groups neutralized in Iran since new year. 26 August 2013. Trend. 29 November 2014.