Western Iran clashes (2026–present)

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Beginning in early June 2026, armed clashes erupted between the Kurdistan Free Life Party's (PJAK) armed wing, the Eastern Kurdistan Units (YRK), and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the highlands of western Iran (Iranian Kurdistan), particularly near Marivan and regions south of Mahabad. In late June and early July 2026, clashes intensified and spread to the Iran–Iraq border, the Sardasht–Baneh–Saqqez triangle, urban areas, and began to involve other Iranian Kurdish opposition groups, including the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI). Besides the armed clashes, ACLED recorded a significant increase in assassinations of IRGC affiliates and countermeasures by the Basij, including the expansion of its "popular intelligence network." The assassinations have been attributed to PJAK-linked groups such as the Patriotic Youth of Kurdistan and Kurdistan Martyrs' Revenge Teams, as well as newly emerging groups such as Sun of Hope (Khori Hiwa).

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