2011 Iran–Iraq cross-border raids

IRGC series of operations against the PJAK yes 2011 Iran–Iraq cross-border raids the Iran–PJAK conflict July 11, 2011 – September 29, 2011 Iraqi Kurdistan, Sardasht County, Iran Iranian victory PJAK activities decreased in the border areas. PJAK operational commander Majid Kavian killed. Kurdistan Regional Government and Iraqi Central Government agree to take measures against PJAK to keep border regions peaceful. PJAK agrees to end armed operations.Aswat al-Iraq https://archive.today/20120710160505/http://en.aswataliraq.info/Default.aspx?page=article_page&c=slideshow&id=145461 Safer border following agreement with PJAK - Barzani, October 29, 2010 Iran Iranian Armed Forces Flag of Partiya Jiyana Azad a Kurdistanê.png PJAK Iran Ataollah SalehiIran Mohammad Ali Jafari Iran Ali Fazli Iran Abbas Ali Jannesari Iran Mohammad Taqi Osanlou Iran Hossein Zolfaqari Iran Abbas Asemi Iran Abdollah Araqi Iran Nasser Shabani Iran Ahmad Reza Pourdastan Iran Mehdi Mahdavinejad Flag of Partiya Jiyana Azad a Kurdistanê.png Majid KavianAhlu Bayt News Agency PJAK deputy commander killed https://web.archive.org/web/20120407063751/http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=264298 2012-04-07 , September 8, 2011Monsters and Critics https://archive.today/20130128235244/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/middleeast/news/article_1661445.php/Iran-kills-deputy-commander-of-Kurdish-rebel-group Iran kills deputy commander of Kurdish rebel group, September 7, 2011Fars News Agency Iran Arrests 2 Ringleaders of PJAK Terrorist Group https://web.archive.org/web/20120601044935/http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9006190002 2012-06-01 , September 10, 2011 Flag of Partiya Jiyana Azad a Kurdistanê.png Murat Karasac Flag of Partiya Jiyana Azad a Kurdistanê.png Ruzhat Butan Flag of Partiya Jiyana Azad a Kurdistanê.png Shirzad Kamangar 5,000August 2021 600October 2011 20 killedDaily Times Iran’s Guards ask Kurdish rebels to surrender or leave, September 15, 2011(Iranian claim)320 killed (PJAK claim) 180 killed, 300 wounded(Iranian claim)16 killed (by mid August)(PJAK claim) 230 families displaced (by August 3)10 civilians killedhttp://www.radiozamaneh.com/english/content/iranian-forces-conflict-pjak Iranian forces in conflict with PJAK - Radio Zamaneh: Independent Media, Debate and E-learning for Iran 29 November 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20120426222215/http://www.radiozamaneh.com/english/content/iranian-forces-conflict-pjak 2012-04-26 liveTotal: 210–326+ killed 2011 Iran–Iraq cross-border raids were a series of operations, performed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), against the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), a Kurdish rebel group. The operations began in July 2011, and included attacks on PJAK bases in Iranian territory, penetration into Iraqi Kurdistan territory, bombing of PJAK associated bases and villages in Kurdish controlled Iraqi areas and direct targeting of Kurdish guerrilla command in Qandil mountains. The clashes resulted in dozens killed and wounded on both sides, with hundreds of displaced Kurdish villagers. The exact numbers of casualties on each side are a matter of controversy. On September 29, PJAK accepted Iranian terms and withdrew fully from Iran's soil in what Iranian commanders described as a surrender. According to the IRGC they killed over 180 PJAK fighters and injured over 300 during the operations.Fars News Agency PJAK Surrenders to Iran https://web.archive.org/web/20110929183448/http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9007040547 September 29, 2011 , September 29, 2011 The operation cost Iran $150 million.Fars News Agency PJAK Halts Terrorist Operations after Iran's Crushing Response https://web.archive.org/web/20120329132159/http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9007040098 2012-03-29 , September 26, 2011 The cease-fire was violated by the sides in December 2011, in Baneh. Chronology July offensive Iran started its offensive against the PJAK on July 11, after an escalation of PJAK activity in North-Western Iran and began shelling PJAK positions in Northern Iraq on July 16. On July 17, the IRGC killed at least five PJAK members in a raid that destroyed one of the group's headquarters in north-western Iran. PJAK claimed 21 Iranian soldiers were killed in the clashes.http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/world/breakingnews/125710533.html Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces claimed to have killed 5 Kurdish rebels in raid near Iraqi border Winnipeg Free Press The Associated Press Iranian authorities on the other hand confirmed their casualties at 1 killed and 3 injured, while claiming to have inflicted "heavy losses" on the rebels.Khaleej Times Iraq, Iran issue border demands after clashes https://web.archive.org/web/20121001184824/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data%2Fmiddleeast%2F2011%2FJuly%2Fmiddleeast_July434.xml&section=middleeast&col= 2012-10-01 , July 19, 2011 They announced that they had captured three rebel bases, one of which was identified as Marvan and was said to be the leading PJAK camp in the region.Iran captures Kurdish bases in first Iraq offensive since 1980-88 war https://web.archive.org/web/20110822131046/http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2011/me_iran0896_07_19.asp 2011-08-22 , July 19, 2011 On July 20, PJAK killed 5 IRGC members and one IRGC commander.https://www.uskowioniran.com/2011/07/irgc-commander-killed-in-kurdistan.html IRGC Commander Killed in Kurdistan 19 November 2019 IRGC forces killed 35 PJAK fighters and captured several others during clashes on July 25.August 2021 By July 26, more than 50 PJAK fighters and 8 Revolutionary Guards were reported to have been killedFrance 24 Kurd rebels kill Basij militiaman: Iran agency https://web.archive.org/web/20110730053118/http://www.france24.com/en/20110729-kurd-rebels-kill-basij-militiaman-iran-agency 2011-07-30, July 29, 2011 while over 800 people had been displaced by the fighting according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.Voice of America Deaths Reported in Fighting Between Iran, Kurd Rebels https://web.archive.org/web/20120315185451/http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2011/07/26/deaths-reported-in-fighting-between-iran-kurd-rebels/ 2012-03-15 , July 26, 2011 At least 3 civilians were killed.Daily Star Iran shelling of Kurd separatist rebels displaces over 200 families https://web.archive.org/web/20110824165826/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/Aug-03/Iran-shelling-of-Kurd-separatist-rebels-displaces-over-200-families.ashx#axzz1U3SMJ2Os 2011-08-24 , August 3, 2011 During clashes in the Jasosan and Alotan heights the next day, Iranian forces claimed to have killed over 21 PJAK fighters, confirming that two IRGC forces had been killed and two had been injured during the clashes.August 2021 On August 1, at request of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Iran halted its offensive and gave PJAK forces a one-month grace period during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan to retreat all their forces from Iranian territory.Fars News Agency IRGC: Operation against PJAK Aimed at Confronting US Moves along Borders https://web.archive.org/web/20120601045640/http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9007272731 2012-06-01 , November 9, 2011 Sabotage of the Tabriz–Ankara pipeline On July 29, suspected PJAK militants blew up the Tabriz–Ankara pipeline, which was repaired the next day. On August 1, Iranian forces killed 3 and arrested 4 of the militants said to be responsible for the attack in West Azerbaijan. At least one of them was a Turkish citizen.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-pipeline-arrest-idUSTRE7703BX20110801 Reuters Iran kills, arrests people linked to gas pipeline blast August 1, 2011 2017-06-30 https://web.archive.org/web/20151124033600/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/01/us-iran-pipeline-arrest-idUSTRE7703BX20110801 2015-11-24 live The Turkish citizen was later confirmed to be Murat Karasac alias "Cemil", who was reported to be the leader of the group that carried out the attack and was one of the 3 killed in the fighting.TRT PJAK terrorists killed in IranJune 2023 InternetArchiveBot yes , August 2, 2011 It was later reported in Turkish media that he was the PJAK's number 2 in command. Cease-fire attempts On August 8, 2011, Abdul Rahman Haji Ahmadi, the leader of the Kurdistan Free Life Party, said the armed rebel group is prepared to negotiate with Iran and maintained that Kurdish issues need to be solved through “peaceful means”. In an exclusive interview with Rudaw, Haji Ahmadi acknowledged that in some cases compromise is inevitable and indicated that PJAK is willing to lay down its arms. He said fighting may not help Kurds secure political and cultural rights in Iran.Rudaw PJAK Leader: We’re Prepared To Negotiate With Iran https://web.archive.org/web/20120412132059/http://www.rudaw.net/english/news/iran/3878.html 2012-04-12 , August 8, 2011 On August 8, 2011, Murat Karayılan, the leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) said they withdrew all PJAK fighters out of Iran and sent them to PKK camps in the Qandil mountains. He said they replaced PJAK forces on the Iranian border with PKK forces to prevent further clashes and called on Iran to end attacks because unlike the PJAK, the PKK was not at war with Iran.Today's Zaman PKK decides to withdraw PJAK militants from Iran https://web.archive.org/web/20111002023851/http://www.sundayszaman.com/sunday/newsDetail_getNewsById.action?newsId=253210 October 2, 2011 , August 9, 2011 Karayılan released the following statement: As the PKK, we have not declared any war against Iran. We do not wish to fight against the Islamic Republic of Iran either. Why? Because one of the aims of the international forces who seek to re-design the region is to besiege Iran. Currently, they are more preoccupied with Syria. If they just manage to work things out there as they wish, it will be Iran's turn next. As Kurds, we do not think it quite right to be involved in a war with Iran at such a stage. You have no interest in targeting the PKK ... You must end this conflict. It is America that wants this conflict to go on. Because these attacks of yours serve America's interests. They want both the PKK and Iran to grow weaker.Hürriyet Why would Iran capture Karayılan? https://web.archive.org/web/20110908080741/http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=why-would-iran-capture-karayilan-2011-08-15 2011-09-08 , August 15, 2011 Alleged Capture of Murat Karayılan On August 16,Today's Zaman Karayılan injured in Iranian operations, report says https://web.archive.org/web/20111013101341/http://www.todayszaman.com/news-259654-karayilan-injured-in-iranian-operations-report-says.html 2011-10-13 , 12 October 2011 Alaeddin Boroujerdi head of the Iranian parliament's foreign affairs committee told Mehr News Agency that the PKK's top commander Murat Karayılan had been captured during the IRGC operation,News.az Iran says senior PKK leader Karayilan captured https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233412/http://news.az/articles/iran/42458 2016-03-03 , August 15, 2011 a claim which was dismissed by the PKK, which told Roj TV that Karayılan was fine and free.EKurd.net PKK rebels dismiss top leader capture by Iran https://web.archive.org/web/20120331011021/http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2011/8/turkey3326.htm 2012-03-31 , August 14, 2011 Later, however, Iranian foreign minister Ali Akbar Salehi and Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoğlu also denied the news. Turkish interior minister İdris Naim Şahin said the news confused Murat Karayılan with PJAK commander Murat Karasac,Today's Zaman Iran pulls the PKK card https://web.archive.org/web/20110912234510/http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-253915-iran-pulls-the-pkk-card.html 2011-09-12 , August 16, 2011Today's Zaman Turkey, Iran deny report of PKK leader's capture https://web.archive.org/web/20110816023623/http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action?load=detay&newsId=253774&link=253774 2011-08-16 , August 15, 2011 who had been killed by Iranian forces in West Azerbaijan on August 2.TRT PJAK TERRORISTS KILLED IN IRAN https://web.archive.org/web/20120425091956/http://www.trtuyghurche.com/trtworld/en/newsDetail.aspx?HaberKodu=91b68ed3-709d-4724-aeb0-cfbab773c9cd 2012-04-25 , August 2, 2011 Nonetheless, this has led to many conspiracy theories in the media, for instance by Today's Zaman columnist Markar Esayan, that Iran was trying to help Cemil Bayik execute an internal coup in the PKK by capturing Karayılan, so that Iran can gain influence over the organisation. Emre Uslu, another columnist for the Today's Zaman claimed that Iran had captured Karayılan to gain a political victory in the conflict over PJAK, by getting the PKK to stop supporting them. Pro-PKK think-tank Yusuf Ziyad believed that this was the beginning of the forming of a Shi'a-Kurdish alliance, by Iran. Ziyad andToday's Zaman PKK-Iran axis https://web.archive.org/web/20111025135659/http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-258996-pkk-iran-axis.html 2011-10-25 , October 5, 2011 Hürriyet columnist Kadri Gürsel both believe that this is motivated by Turkish opposition towards the Ba'ath regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.Hürriyet https://web.archive.org/web/20110908080741/http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=why-would-iran-capture-karayilan-2011-08-15 2011-09-08, August 15, 2011 Yeni Şafak daily columnist Abdulkadir Selvi claimed that Iran had, in fact, taken Karayılan out of Qandil and brought him to Urumiyeh to keep him safe from Turkish air raids. Professor Sedat Laçiner, President of the Çanakkale university claimed Iran had released Karayılan and this is proof that they are supporting the PKK. The NATO missile shield in Turkey is also cited as reason for why Iran would want to support the PKK.Today's Zaman Turkey-Iran tension escalates over NATO radar system and PKK https://web.archive.org/web/20111013192032/http://www.todayszaman.com/news-259556-turkey-iran-tension-escalates-over-nato-radar-system-and-pkk.html 2011-10-13 , October 11, 2011 A later report on Today's Zaman said that Murat Karayılan may have actually been injured in the Iranian operation rather than captured. September offensive On September 2,CNN Report: Iranian forces kill, injure 30 Kurdish rebels https://web.archive.org/web/20121025190050/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/09/03/iran.kurdish.rebels/ 2012-10-25 , September 4, 2011 Iran renewed its military offensive against PJAK fighters in Northern Iraq in August after the expiring of the Ramadan cease-fire, just days after Turkish officials claimed that their August air strikes against the PKK had killed up to 160 militants in Iraqi Kurdistan.The Jerusalem Post Iran makes new military push against Kurdish rebels https://web.archive.org/web/20110907114702/http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=236537 2011-09-07 , September 3, 2011 Iranian sources claimed that the rebels had used the truce to dig tunnels in the Jasosan heights close to Iran's border. On September 4, Iran claimed the offensive had killed and injured 30 PJAK fighters and on September 5, 2011, the IRGC rejected a cease-fire declared by the PJAK as meaningless, as long as PJAK forces remained inside the borders of the Islamic Republic. Iran also said its troops had killed 30 PJAK fighters and wounded 40 during the several days of fighting. On September 7, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards claimed PJAK's deputy commander Majid Kavian alias "Semko Sarholdan" was killedAl Arabiya Iran says Kurdish rebel deputy chief killed https://web.archive.org/web/20110910073159/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/09/07/165785.html 2011-09-10 while commanding an operation in Kutaman.PJAK commander https://web.archive.org/web/20120425155248/http://www.teror-victims.com/en/index.php?Page=definition&UID=4207778 2012-04-25 , September 12, 2011 Kavian, the PJAK's number 2 manFars News Agency PJAK's Number 2 Man Killed https://web.archive.org/web/20110908215746/http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9006150225 2011-09-08 , September 7, 2011 was said to be the group's chief operational commander, as the group's number 1 leader, Haji Ahmadi lives in Germany.RFERL Germany Rejects Iran Extradition Request, March 9, 2011 PJAK confirmed Kavian's death in a statement on their website.Al Sumaria Iran kills PJAK deputy military chief https://archive.today/20120724110322/http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/Iraq-News/1-68332-Iran-kills-PJAK-deputy-military-chief.html 2012-07-24 , September 9, 2011 On September 9, Iran claimed to have captured 2 more PJAK commanders. On September 21, the IRGC claimed they had successfully forced the armed PJAK fighters from Iranian territory.EKurd Iran's summer offensive kills 180 Kurdish PJAK rebels: Guards https://web.archive.org/web/20111019230143/http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2011/9/irankurd801.htm 2011-10-19 , September 29, 2011 End of Operation On September 29, 2011, Iranian sources reported that PJAK officially surrendered with 180 deaths and 300 injured, accepting Iranian demands of retreating one mile from the Iranian border and ceasing armed operations. Iranian ambassador to Iraq Hassan Danaei-Far declared that they had cleared all areas of PJAK activities and that they had reached an agreement with the Iraqi central government and the Kurdistan Regional Government, in which they vowed to keep the border peaceful.ISNA Iran envoy says PJAK terrorist acts drop in border areas https://web.archive.org/web/20111008072340/http://www.isna.ir/ISNA/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-1860998&Lang=E October 8, 2011, October 3, 2011 In October 2011, President of Iraqi Kurdistan Massoud Barzani stated that the border between Iran and Iraqi Kurdistan would from now on be safe, after an agreement with PJAK. It was however clear that PJAK withdrawal was made for redeployment purposes along the Iran-Iraq border. The cease-fire collapsed on late December 2011, when a clash in Baneh between IRGC resulted in mortal casualties. Casualties On August 5, the leader of Kurdistan Free Life Party, Rahman Haj Ahmedi, said to Newsmax that more than 300 Iranian Revolutionary Guards had been killed in a series of ambushes, while acknowledging 16 losses.http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/4/255417/ Over 300 guards killed while engaging PJAK, says leader Politics AKNEWS.com 2011-08-05 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111007212832/http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/4/255417/ 2011-10-07 Iranian officials however, claimed to have killed over 150 PJAK forces during the operations,http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-08/15/c_131050928.htm Iranian officials deny arrest of Kurdish PKK leader 2011-09-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20121108013331/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-08/15/c_131050928.htm 2012-11-08 bot: unknown confirming the deaths of only 17 Revolutionary Guards.http://www.payvand.com/news/11/aug/1179.html Iran says PJAK surrender imminent 29 November 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141208024059/http://www.payvand.com/news/11/aug/1179.html 2014-12-08 live More were killed in the August cross-border offensives, while Iran claimed to have also killed 30 PJAK fighters and wounded 40 in early September.https://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=236725 Iran rejects PJAK's cease-fire, demands withdrawal The Jerusalem Post 29 November 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20121223191721/http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=236725 2012-12-23 live According to IRGC Brigadier General Abdullah Araqi, 180 PJAK fighters were killed and 300 injured by the end of the operation.Tabnak PJAK surrender 180 killed and 300 wounded PJAK surrenders https://web.archive.org/web/20111001112629/http://www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/193711/%D9%BE%DA%98%D8%A7%DA%A9-%D8%A8%D8%A7-180-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D8%AA%D9%87-%D9%88-300-%D8%B2%D8%AE%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%84%DB%8C%D9%85-%D8%B4%D8%AF 2011-10-01 , September 29, 2011 Responses Human Rights Watch criticized Iran over its military operation, saying it had evidence its forces have deliberately targeted civilians. Iraqi Kurdistan: On Tuesday, September 6, the president of Iraq's Kurdistan region, Massud Barzani, called on Kurdish fighters to relinquish their armed rebellion, and instead seek their goals through diplomacy. Iraq: The Government of Iraq and Kurdistan Regional Government eventually agreed with Iran to take measures against PJAK to stabilise the border region. See also Iranian Kurdistan References 2 Category:2011 in Iraqi Kurdistan Category:2011 in Iran Category:2011 conflicts Category:Iran–PJAK conflict Category:Iran–Iraq border Category:Battles in 2011 Category:Iran in the Iraq War Category:Kurdistan Region in the Iraq War Category:Cross-border operations into Iraq