The Iraqi government, which imposed war on Kurdistan in 1974, began its attacks on the revolutionary regions by utilizing all its military capabilities, employing a massive army of hundreds of thousands of soldiers, hundreds of new tanks, and every type of aerial weapon and air force to end the revolution once and for all this time.

Naturally, in every revolution and uprising, high mountains were the place of resistance and protection for the revolution, and the Peshmerga always relied on them. The Iraqi army similarly wanted to first take control of the heights, breaking the Peshmerga's defensive lines established on mountains such as Kewerash, Makok, and Karox so that the low plains would fall under military influence. The Iraqi regime had planned to increase its attacks on the revolutionary regions in August and September to capture strategic locations before winter.

Although the Iraqi army suffered heavy blows due to its attacks on Peshmerga positions, it continued its attacks with the support of large air forces, Soviet military experts, and mercenaries (Jash). When the army was able to advance on Mount Kewerash and bring the right flank under its control, the 1st Infantry Division and the 12th Armored Division, supported by the 3rd Tank Battalion, began their advance toward the Sengeser valley, which is located at the beginning of Mount Asos on the right side and the beginning of Mount Kewerash on the left side, through which the Ranya-Qaladiza road passes.

Against that large force of the Iraqi army that was passing through to occupy the city of Qaladiza, a battalion from the Kawa force and the Asos battalion took up positions in the Sengeser valley, which was the only place where they could block the army and prevent it from reaching Qaladiza. This was done by laying anti-tank and anti-personnel mines, destroying roads, and placing large rocks on the roads. The Iraqi army did not abandon its attack plan; the Peshmerga were on the defensive when they engaged in combat, and the fighting and clashes continued for nearly 10 days. Even though the Iraqi army suffered heavy blows, it was determined to reach Qaladiza. Furthermore, there were martyrs and wounded among the Peshmerga Forces. In the end, the Iraqi army was able to enter the city of Qaladiza on August 19, 1974, and capture it.

It is clear that the Peshmerga did not stop with the occupation of Qaladiza by the Iraqi army, but continued their military activities. On September 3, they attacked an Iraqi army base in Tuwe Soran, which is on the Ranya-Qaladiza road. The attack began with shelling the military base, then they attacked the military base and caused great damage to the soldiers. They were close to taking control of the base, but due to the martyrdom of Peshmerga commander Izeddin Qara Muhammad, they abandoned the capture of the military base and the Peshmerga Forces withdrew.

Source:
  1. Masoud Barzani, Barzani and the Kurdish Liberation Movement, Volume III, Part II, September Revolution 1961-1975, First Edition – Erbil, 2004.
  2. Senger Ibrahim Khoshnaw, Military Events of the September Revolution 1970-1975, Edition 1, Erbil, 2022.
  3. Karwan Jawhar Muhammad, Idris Barzani 1944-1987 Life and Political and Military Role in the Kurdish Liberation Movement, Hevi Press, Erbil, 2019.
  4. Lieutenant Khidir Abdullah Dabbagh, My Memoirs and the Artillery of the Great September Revolution, Rewshenbiri Press, 3rd edition, Erbil – 2020.
  5. Ibrahim Jalal, South Kurdistan and the September Revolution, Construction and Destruction, 1961-1975, Fourth Edition, 2021.