Series - FotoSlovo 2026 - Category « Documentary / Reportage »

In recent months, escalating confrontation between Iran, Israel, and the United States — including the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader — has intensified fears of a broader regional conflict and could reshape the political landscape of the Middle East. Amid this volatility, commanders of the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) say they are preparing for what they describe as a decisive turning point.

I was embedded with an all-female unit composed largely of fighters from Iran’s Kurdish regions. For years, they have operated along the mountainous border between Iran and Iraq. From remote bases carved into rock, they closely monitor developments inside Iran, assessing how sustained external pressure and internal unrest might shift the balance of power in Tehran.

PJAK says some members are positioned inside Iranian territory, while others remain on standby in fortified mountain caves. Commanders describe preparations for multiple scenarios, including internal uprising or a leadership crisis triggered by wider conflict.

At the center is the HPJ, PJAK’s women’s armed wing, which defines itself as a “female army of freedom,” committed to defending women’s rights and shaping future political change. Many fighters previously battled the Islamic State or took part in the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom protests following the death of Jina Amini.

Beyond armed struggle, they speak of gender equality, ecological justice, grassroots democracy, and Kurdish identity. “To reach the truth,” one fighter says, “you must be ready to become the third butterfly.”