Komala joins alliance of Iranian Kurdish parties

NEWSROOM — The Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan, led by Abdullah Mohtadi, has formally joined the Alliance of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan, according to a statement from its political bureau.

The alliance, announced in February, previously consisted of five main Iranian Kurdish parties. With Komala’s inclusion, the number rises to six.

Komala’s absence from the newly formed alliance in recent days had drawn criticism.

In its statement, the party said its leadership has long worked “for the unity of the Kurdish people and cooperation among Kurdish political forces.”

The party said it had particularly emphasized two issues: “a unified Peshmerga force of Kurdistan” and “joint administration of Kurdistan during the transitional phase,” and had called for “practical mechanisms” to manage those issues. It added that it continues to view those issues as priorities.

Komala said recent developments mark “an entirely new phase,” adding that changes in the region have placed Iranian Kurdistan “in a very sensitive and historic situation” requiring greater unity and coordination.

The statement said supporters and activists had urged the party to play a role in strengthening Kurdish unity and to join the alliance.

“Considering all of this, and from the standpoint that Komala has always placed historical responsibility and national interests above all else, the political bureau has decided as of today to join the alliance,” the statement said.

The statement concluded with the slogans: “Down with the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran” and “Long live Kurdistan.”

The other members of the alliance include: Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, Kurdistan Freedom Party, Kurdistan Free Life Party, Organization of Iranian Kurdistan Struggle and Komala of the Toilers of Kurdistan.

The Iranian Kurdish opposition bases in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq have been repeatedly struck in recent days. On Tuesday, three drones and a missile hit Camp Azadi and a weapons storage facility belonging to the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan.

A missile strike hit a base of the Kurdistan Freedom Party in Degala subdistrict in Erbil governorate before noon Wednesday, killing one fighter and wounding three others, local officials said.

Reuters reported that U.S. officials have held talks with Iranian Kurdish leaders, while CNN reported the CIA is examining a plan that could involve arming those groups. Both outlets said the proposals remain under discussion and no final decisions have been announced.