Research Article

Intra-ethnic Rivalry and Narrative: Rivalry Between PJAK and PDKI in Iran

Number: 13 July 1, 2026
TR EN

Intra-ethnic Rivalry and Narrative: Rivalry Between PJAK and PDKI in Iran

Abstract

Competition among ethnic-separatist armed groups constitutes a significant research area in the literature on intra-ethnic rivalry. This study examines the narrative rivalry between the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) and the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), both operating within the Iranian Kurdish political movement. Employing a comparative methodology, the study analyses the ideological foundations, leadership structures, claims of ethnic group representation, and political objectives of both organisations. Research findings reveal that while PDKI maintains a traditional nationalist line based on democratic socialism and historical precedence narratives, PJAK has developed a radical narrative grounded in jineology and democratic confederalism. These narrative differences shape both organisations' claims to be the "ideal representative" and "protector" of Iranian Kurds, constituting the fundamental dynamic of intra-ethnic rivalry.

Keywords

References

  1. Ahmadzadeh, Hashem and Gareth Stansfield. 2010. “The Political, Cultural, and Military Re-Awakening of the Kurdish Nationalist Movement in Iran.” Middle East Journal 64 (1): 11–27. https://doi.org/10.3751/64.1.11
  2. Al-Ali, Nadje and Isabel Käser. 2020. “Beyond Feminism? Jineolojî and the Kurdish Women’s Freedom Movement.” Politics & Gender 18 (1): 212–243. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1743923X20000501
  3. Aleviansiklopedisi. n.d. “Ahl-e Haqq (Yarsanism).” Alevi Ansiklopedisi. Accessed: 18.02.2026. https://www.aleviansiklopedisi.com/en/madde-x/ahl-e-haqq-yarsanism-7990/.
  4. ANF. 2022a. “A Ten-Dimensional Revolution Project from KJAR.” https://firatnews.com/kurdistan/kjar-dan-10-boyutlu-bir-devrim-projesi-177521.
  5. ANF. 2022b. “Declaration from PJAK.” https://firatnews.com/kurdistan/pjak-tan-Iran-ve-rojhilat-taki-serhildan-icin-deklarasyon-176699.
  6. Bakke, Kristin M., Kathleen Gallagher Cunningham and Lee J. M. Seymour. 2012. “A Plague of Initials: Fragmentation, Cohesion, and Infighting in Civil Wars.” Perspectives on Politics 10 (2): 265–283.
  7. Balcı, Ç. 2022. “The Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran as a Leading Actor in the Iranian Kurdish Political Movement.” Ulisa: International Studies Journal 6 (1): 18–32.
  8. Balcı, Ç. 2024. “Terrorist Organisations and the Instrumentalisation of Social Movements: PKK/PJAK and the Jin, Jiyan, Azadi Campaign in Iran.” Journal of Turkish-Iranian Studies 3 (6): 1–20.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Regional Studies, Terrorism in International Relations

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 1, 2026

Submission Date

February 9, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 30, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 13

APA
Balcı, Ç. (2026). Intra-ethnic Rivalry and Narrative: Rivalry Between PJAK and PDKI in Iran. Diplomasi Ve Strateji Dergisi, 13, 48-77. https://doi.org/10.58685/dsd.1885066
AMA
1.Balcı Ç. Intra-ethnic Rivalry and Narrative: Rivalry Between PJAK and PDKI in Iran. DSJOURNAL. 2026;(13):48-77. doi:10.58685/dsd.1885066
Chicago
Balcı, Çağatay. 2026. “Intra-Ethnic Rivalry and Narrative: Rivalry Between PJAK and PDKI in Iran”. Diplomasi Ve Strateji Dergisi, nos. 13: 48-77. https://doi.org/10.58685/dsd.1885066.
EndNote
Balcı Ç (July 1, 2026) Intra-ethnic Rivalry and Narrative: Rivalry Between PJAK and PDKI in Iran. Diplomasi ve Strateji Dergisi 13 48–77.
IEEE
[1]Ç. Balcı, “Intra-ethnic Rivalry and Narrative: Rivalry Between PJAK and PDKI in Iran”, DSJOURNAL, no. 13, pp. 48–77, July 2026, doi: 10.58685/dsd.1885066.
ISNAD
Balcı, Çağatay. “Intra-Ethnic Rivalry and Narrative: Rivalry Between PJAK and PDKI in Iran”. Diplomasi ve Strateji Dergisi. 13 (July 1, 2026): 48-77. https://doi.org/10.58685/dsd.1885066.
JAMA
1.Balcı Ç. Intra-ethnic Rivalry and Narrative: Rivalry Between PJAK and PDKI in Iran. DSJOURNAL. 2026;:48–77.
MLA
Balcı, Çağatay. “Intra-Ethnic Rivalry and Narrative: Rivalry Between PJAK and PDKI in Iran”. Diplomasi Ve Strateji Dergisi, no. 13, July 2026, pp. 48-77, doi:10.58685/dsd.1885066.
Vancouver
1.Çağatay Balcı. Intra-ethnic Rivalry and Narrative: Rivalry Between PJAK and PDKI in Iran. DSJOURNAL. 2026 Jul. 1;(13):48-77. doi:10.58685/dsd.1885066

DSJ is the corporate publication of the Association for Diplomacy and Strategy Studies.