A recently released video of an Israeli intelligence agent constitutes an unprecedented document explicitly stating that PJAK has become a direct tool in the hands of Israel. Tel Aviv, through deliberate pressure and disclosures, is attempting to force PJAK and its allies into a direct conflict with Iran without any possibility of retreat.
According to a report by the Iranian Kurdistan Human Rights Watch (IKHRW) correspondent, a video published on the Hebrew-language network Shavua Tov, featuring an Israeli intelligence agent named Yigal Michael Mamo, provides a candid and unfiltered narrative of the long-standing cooperation between PJAK and Israel. The common denominator of this collaboration is the disregard for the rights and interests of the Iranian people and the transformation of PJAK (the Iranian branch of the PKK) into a proxy force for the United States and Israel.
This pattern is not new. The Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) and the Rajavi organization (MEK) followed the exact same path during the Iran-Iraq war; a path that, regardless of the line of treason and mercenary work for the enemy, ultimately led to the deaths of thousands of their own members on the battlefields. (Read the related report on the connection of certain paramilitary groups with the enemies of the homeland here: https://B2n.ir/xq4665)
Israeli Pressure and the “Forced Commitment” Scenario
History has shown that groups that submit to such proxy games eventually pay the highest price themselves. The publication of this video with such clarity is likely not accidental; it can be seen as a sign of Israeli pressure on PJAK and other supposedly “Kurdish coalition” groups. This pressure aims to prevent any retreat or hesitation by these groups, forcing them into direct conflict with Iran. In other words, the Israeli agent’s public confession serves as a “forced commitment” to continue the path, ensuring these groups cannot exit the proxy cycle.
In the video, the Israeli agent speaks of the head of PJAK, residing in Norway, and emphasizes that he has long-standing, deep, and historic ties with Israel. It is probable that the agent is referring to Siamand Moini, the former head of PJAK. (Read the related report on the similarities between Israel and PJAK here: https://B2n.ir/jm1861)
Exclusive Interview with a Defected Member: From Kenneth Timmerman to the Syria Project
In this regard, IKHRW conducted an exclusive interview with a defected member of PJAK. This former member, whose name remains confidential with the institute, confirmed the overt and covert support from Israel and the U.S., stating:
“The establishment of PJAK and the transfer of a portion of Iranian Kurdish forces from the PKK to PJAK occurred under a U.S. plan, precisely when the Kurdish peace process between the PKK and Turkey was underway. The Americans played the lead role at that time. A U.S. intelligence official named Kenneth Timmerman, acting under the guise of a priest, was present and supervised the early stages of PJAK’s formation. Importantly, Turkey was also aware of and agreed to this action.”
The defected member noted that U.S. support for the group never ceased, stating: “The provision of money, weapons, and equipment continued. When the Syria project began, everyone moved toward Syria; even the current leader of PJAK, Amir Karimi (known as Heval Mazdak), came from Europe to Syria, or what they call Rojava. Another PJAK operative was Aras Kardokh, who served as the liaison between Israel/U.S. and the PKK and its branches in Syria for years.” (Read the IKHRW report on Amir Karimi’s activities in Syria here: https://B2n.ir/zj9193)
He added: “The connections of Amir Karimi and Aras Kardokh with the U.S. and subsequently Israel were established in Syria; they were in contact on a normal, daily basis there. Interestingly, Turkey tried for years to pretend Iran was linked to the PKK, but this was part of the scenario. The Americans did not want their connection to be public; they even placed PJAK and the PKK on the list of terrorist organizations to deceive others.” (Read the detailed IKHRW report on the establishment of the PKK and PJAK with Israel’s involvement here: https://B2n.ir/ub8533)
Instrumental Use and the Expiration of Proxies
In the recent joint aggression by the U.S. and Israel against Iranian soil, which some consider the “Third Imposed War,” Washington’s political and operational constraints in deploying direct ground forces have led the aggressors to conclude that they must use proxies to achieve their goals. (Read the related news on this U.S. objective here: https://B2n.ir/wq5724)
Consequently, serious planning for the employment of PJAK and other armed paramilitary groups based in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is on the agenda. However, history shows that international powers easily abandon Kurds once their “expiration date” arrives. The publication Le Monde Diplomatique, in an article titled “After the Defeat of ISIS, Syrian Kurds are Left to Their Own Devices,” points precisely to this fact: that regional Kurds are mere tools for international powers.
Tom Barack, the U.S. Special Envoy for Syria, is quoted as saying: “Washington’s alliance with the Syrian Kurds has largely expired; with a friendly government now [in power] in Damascus, the primary objective of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as the main anti-ISIS force no longer has relevance.”
Similarly, Sky News highlighted this in a report, quoting regional Kurds who claim to have fought ISIS alongside the U.S.: “We fought with you against ISIS; do not abandon us so easily.” (Sky News Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKEvSklnVM8)
