Iran Artillery Commander Killed By PJAK Forces

Abbas Ali Jannesari, the commander of artillery and air defence in Esfahan, has been killed in a battle with Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK) forces.

Fars reports that Jannesari, an artillery specialist, was in charge of the 15 Khordad air defence during the past five years.

Two days ago, Iran announced that its forces had killed Majid Kavian, “the number two person in PJAK,” but no date was given.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps has been fighting PJAK forces for several months, with each side claiming it has inflicted dozens of casualties.

Last week the IRGC announced that it has renewed attacks against PJAK after a month-long reprieve during the Muslim month of Ramadan. Two days later, PJAK announced that, in accordance with the recommendations of intermediaries, it was willing to announce a ceasefire.

In response, IRGC Commander Colonel Hamid Ahmadi said any ceasefire would be “meaningless” unless PJAK forces left Iran’s border regions.

The Free Life Party of Kurdistan claims to fight for the rights of the Kurdish minority in Iran, but Iran regards PJAK as a terrorist organization.

Previously, an unidentified senior IRGC official at Hamzeh Base was quoted by Fars news agency, saying operations at the Iran-Iraq border will continue until the Iraqi government establishes its forces in the region.

He added that, for years, the Kurdistan Regional Government has provided PJAK forces with “an area 150 km long and 20 km wide in northern Iraq… without the knowledge or permission of the central Iraqi government.”

The Kurdistan Regional Government denies that accusation.