Fearing backlash, Iranian Kurds wary of fully joining protests

Many Iranian Kurds are wary of fully joining the latest nationwide protests, which were sparked by a severe economic crisis. This hesitation is rooted in the fear of another brutal crackdown, like the one they suffered during the 2022 "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement. Activists note that many Kurds felt the solidarity from other parts of Iran did not justify the heavy price their communities paid in the previous uprising. While northern Kurdish cities that were epicenters in 2022 have remained quiet, Shia Kurdish regions in the west have experienced some of the most violent protests and repression this time.