The Impact of Ethnic Nationalism on Ethnic Terrorism; Case Study: PJAK

Ethnic nationalism is one of the most challenging terms in the modern world, confronting various countries with numerous issues, particularly as it draws a line of distinction between “us” and “them” based on ethnicity. This becomes even more significant when ethnic identity-seeking groups in multi-ethnic countries, invoking ethnic nationalism and its inherent elements like separatism, resort to violence and terrorism within their target societies. This phenomenon not only poses a threat to the internal stability of countries but can also lead to the escalation of regional and international tensions.Iran is among the countries that have historically encompassed diverse ethnic groups within its geographical expanse. At certain times, the emergence of groups culturally and ethnically affiliated with these communities has created significant challenges to the country’s territorial integrity. One such group is PJAK (Party of Free Life of Kurdistan). Despite its extraterritorial origins, PJAK exploits ethnic sentiments to incite unrest in the Kurdish-populated regions of the country, resorting to violence and terrorist acts. The group utilizes propaganda strategies and communication networks to expand its influence and garner local support.Based on the aforementioned premises, the aim of this research is to examine PJAK as a terrorist group operating within the framework of ethnic nationalism. The research question is: How does PJAK use its ideological foundations to justify terrorist acts? The research hypothesis posits that PJAK relies on the foundations of ethnic nationalism to engage in terrorist activities. The methodology employed relies on historical sociology and the use of library and internet resources.