The Iraqi government, which imposed the war on Kurdistan, began its attacks on the revolutionary areas in 1974 in such a way that it utilized all its military capabilities. It used a huge, massive army of hundreds of thousands of soldiers, hundreds of modern tanks, and all kinds of aerial weapons and air power to end the revolution once and for all this time.

Of course, in every revolution and uprising, the high mountains were the places of resistance and defense for the revolution, and the Peshmerga always relied on them in defense. The Iraqi Army similarly wanted to first take control of the heights and break the Peshmerga's defensive lines that existed in mountains such as Kiwerash, Makok, and Karokh so that the low-lying plain areas would fall under military threat and influence. Accordingly, the Iraqi regime had a plan and strategy to intensify its attacks on the revolutionary areas in the months of August and September so that it could take control of strategic locations before the arrival of the cold and harsh winter season.

Although the Iraqi Army had suffered heavy losses in the attacks and raids it carried out on the Peshmerga positions, it continued its onslaught with the support of large air power, Soviet military experts, and mercenaries (Jash). When the army was able to advance in the Kiwerash mountain and take control of the right side, the 1st Infantry Force and the 12th Armored Force, supported by the 3rd Tank Battalion, began their advance towards Gali Sangesar, which is located at the beginning of the Asos mountain on the right and the beginning of the Kiwerash mountain on the left, through which the Ranya-Qaladize road passes.

In the face of this massive Iraqi Army force that was cutting off the road to occupy the city of Qaladize, a battalion of the Kawa Force and the Asos Battalion had taken positions in Gali Sangesar, which was the only place where they could create a barrier against the army's attack and prevent it from reaching Qaladize. This was done by planting anti-tank and anti-personnel mines, destroying the road, and placing large boulders on the road. The Iraqi Army did not hesitate in its offensive plan, and the Peshmerga were in defense. As they confronted each other, the fighting and clashes continued for a period of about 10 days. Although the Iraqi Army suffered heavy human and material losses, it was always persistent in reaching Qaladize. There were also Martyrs and wounded among the Peshmerga forces. In the end, the Iraqi Army was able to enter the city of Qaladize on August 19, 1974, and take control of it.

Clearly, with the occupation of Qaladize by the Iraqi Army, the Peshmerga were not helpless; rather, they continued their military activities. On September 3, they attacked an Iraqi Army military base in Tuwa Suran, which is located on the Ranya-Qaladize road. The attack began with shelling the base, then they stormed the military post and were able to inflict heavy losses on the army. They were close to taking control of the base, but due to the martyrdom of Peshmerga Commander Ezadin Qara Muhammad, they abandoned the capture of the base and the Peshmerga force retreated.

 

Sources:  

  1.   Masoud Barzani, Barzani and the Kurdish Liberation Movement, Volume Three, Part Two, Aylul Revolution 1961-1975, First Edition – Erbil, 2004.

  2. Sangaran Ibrahim Khoshnaw, Military Events of the Aylul Revolution 1970-1975, First Edition, Erbil, 2022.

  3. Karwan Jawhar Muhammad, Idris Barzani 1944-1987 Life and Political and Military Role in the Kurdish Liberation Movement, Hevi Printing House, Erbil, 2019.

  4. Lieutenant Khadr Abdullah Dabbagh, My Memoirs and the Artillery of the Great Aylul Revolution, Roshinbiri Printing House, Third Edition, Erbil – 2020.

  5. Ibrahim Jalal, Southern Kurdistan and the Aylul Revolution, Foundation and Collapse, 1961-1975. Fourth Edition, 2021.