The Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK) has issued a statement to mark the 14th anniversary of the Iranian military offensive on the Qandil Mountains in 2011, describing it as a pivotal moment in the Kurdish resistance movement. The group praised the ‘legendary resistance’ of the guerrilla fighters who stood up to Iran’s extensive attacks and paid tribute to the leadership of fallen commanders such as Simko Serhildan, Egîd Sine, and Sarya.
The statement emphasised that the Qandil resistance demonstrated the failure of military solutions, underscoring the need for a democratic approach to resolving the Kurdish issue. The party also drew a connection between the 2011 resistance and the more recent Jin, Jiyan, Azadî (Woman, Life, Freedom) movement, describing both as symbols of Kurdish resilience and progress.
PJAK concluded by urging the Kurdish population to continue their struggle for freedom and democracy, honouring the sacrifices of those who died in the Qandil resistance.
Full text of the statement:
Qandil: Epic Achievements that Allow Us to Take Steps Towards a Democratic Solution to the Kurdish Issue
Statement by PJAK
On 16 July 2011, the Iranian regime launched an attack on the Qandil Mountains—the heart and stronghold of our people’s struggle—with the aim of achieving a final victory in its genocidal policies and programs against the Kurdish people. Thanks to the resistance of our self-sacrificing guerrilla forces, these large-scale attacks were repelled and ultimately failed. On the 14th anniversary of that great historic epic, we honour and remember the martyrs.
The Qandil Epic achieved goals that today enable us to take steps towards a democratic solution to the Kurdish issue. It was forged by martyrs such as Commander Simko Serhildan, Egîd Sine, Sarya, Zerdeşt, Berfîn Çilçeme, and our other fallen comrades, who all shared the great goal of protecting the oppressed Kurdish people. Today, our duty is to continue the struggle and realise the dreams of the Qandil martyrs and resisters.
In 2011, Iran launched a massive offensive against the Qandil regions in an effort to suppress and destroy our party. The Iranian regime employed all its forces, modern technologies, and local collaborators (Jash) on a large scale. Despite our limited resources, our comrades mounted a legendary resistance. Led by Commander Semko and young people who joined our party believing in freedom and democracy, this resistance achieved results.
The Qandil resistance proved several key points. Firstly, our spirit of resistance, rooted in Apoist philosophy, is both undefeatable and unyielding. In some areas, small guerrilla teams fought back against Iran’s heavy artillery and ground assaults by thousands of troops, resisting to the bitter end and even to the point of martyrdom. This defiance demoralised the enemy and even inspired some collaborators to lay down their arms. Secondly, the Qandil Epic showed that the policy of suppression against the Kurdish people is destined to fail because the Kurdish people have always had and will continue to have a spirit of resistance. Undoubtedly, greater repression triggers broader resistance, and state oppression only further legitimises the Kurdish people’s struggle.
The Qandil Epic proved that military action is not a viable or successful solution to the Kurdish issue because it is political and can only be resolved democratically. Framing the Kurdish issue within a security context and attempting to eliminate Kurds through military force only increases costs and deepens the crisis. In contrast, a democratic solution could reduce these costs and steer the issue towards lasting peace. Therefore, the military option should only be used for legitimate self-defence, and the cycle of warfare and genocidal policies of the Iranian regime must be brought to an end somehow, somewhere.
The Qandil Epic had such significant outcomes that it led to progress in legitimate self-defence and civil organisation. These results later manifested in the Jin, Jiyan, Azadî (Woman, Life, Freedom) revolution.
The Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK) honours the memory of all the martyrs who gave their lives for freedom, especially those of the Qandil Epic: Martyrs Simko Serhildan, Egîd Sine, Sarya, Zerdeşt, and Berfîn. They paved the way for us with self-sacrifice and devotion. We are indebted to all our martyrs, and the only way we can repay this debt is by achieving freedom. From our martyrs, such as Commanders Simko and Sarya, we have learnt the profound lesson of resisting the enemy’s ruthless genocide. There is no path to freedom for our people except through such a glorious struggle.
We call on all our people to intensify their struggle and activities, to embrace the arenas with enthusiasm, and to emulate the heroic spirit of the Qandil resistance as they pursue the honourable path towards freedom and democracy.
Glory to the memory of the martyrs, and long live the struggle of our people and all oppressed peoples.
Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK)
16 July 2025