This battle took place between the Peshmerga Forces and the Iraqi government in the Behdinan region. The Peshmerga Forces carried out a major attack on the military and armed institutions of the Iraqi government in Derelok and Sheladize on the night of 11-12 January 1988 on the border of the first branch of the Kurdistan Democratic Party. In a short time, they were able to capture all the outposts, military positions, and mercenaries, then seized all party, government, and military bases and dealt heavy human and material blows to the government forces. They remained in Derelok until the 13 of the month and then withdrew according to a military plan.

At the beginning of January 1988, a meeting was held at the first branch of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in the Behdinan region regarding the organization of an operation under the supervision of the branch official Ramzi Shaban, along with the officials of the committees of the Amedi, Sheikhan, Zakho, Gulan, Duhok, and Akre districts. At this time, the President Masoud Barzani was the leader of the revolution on the border of the first branch. In the meeting, opinions on determining the location of the operation were discussed. According to the view of the majority of them, Derelok and Sheladize were designated as the targets of the attack. It is worth mentioning that during the Gulan Revolution the Peshmerga forces had been organized within the branches, districts, and organizations.

The plan of the attack was for the Peshmerga Forces of all 6 districts and a force affiliated with the branch to attack from two fronts. On the first front, they were to attack Derelok, where two battalions of mercenaries (jash) were present, and also strike the Sarê Amedi outposts and cut the main road of Derelok. The second front was the attack on the Nizarê Derelok outpost and the Ze Plain in the Akre district to protect them, and for the Sheladize community, which was the base of the mercenaries, to be shelled so that they would be occupied. The first front was led by Ramzi Shaban, Shukri Nerweyi, and Temer Kocher, and the forces of the Amedi, Gulan, and Zakho districts and a force from the branch headquarters were assigned. The second front was under the responsibility of Shimal Zebari, who was the official of the district and organizations, and was entrusted to the forces of Sheikhan, Akre, and Duhok.

The Kurdistan Peshmerga Forces, according to the plan, at 09:30 on the night of 11-12 January 1988 on both designated fronts, carried out a major and extensive attack against the trenches, outposts, and bases and

headquarters of the Ba'ath regime's army and their mercenaries. In this attack, the Peshmerga Forces achieved a great victory and captured 112 locations and government bases in Nizari, Sarê Qolke, Kane, Derelok, and Sheladize; they also caused great damage to the Iraqi forces.

After capturing the surrounding positions, the Peshmerga Forces advanced toward the center of the town of Derelok and captured that town. All the town's institutions fell into the hands of the Peshmerga, such as the base of the battalion of Mohammed Kelhe Rekani and Ali Abo, the mercenary leaders, as well as the Ba'ath Party base and the Security and Intelligence Organization, the Police base, and the District Office. Even though some intelligence mercenaries put up a defense, they could not hold out for long.

Despite the cold winter, the fighting continued until the 13 day. During these days, the Peshmerga Forces were able to completely control Derelok, meaning all government institutions fell under the control of the Peshmerga forces. Furthermore, the Peshmerga Forces also brought both bridges between Amedi and Derelok-Sheladize under their control.

On 14 January 1988, due to snowfall and the formation of obstacles, and also because the Peshmerga attack had fully achieved its goal, it was decided to withdraw with a suitable military plan so that they would be ready against any expectation of retaliation. Therefore, during the withdrawal, they captured important and strategic locations.

Outcome of the battle:

The seizure of 4 battalions of the Iraqi army and the headquarters of the battalions of Ali Abo, Mohammed Kelhe Rekani, and Kazim Omerkhan; more than 550 government gunmen were taken prisoner; more than 200 soldiers and a large number of mercenaries were killed; 53 members of the Ba'ath regime's security and intelligence were killed inside Derelok; 17 various military vehicles were also burned; more than 5 attacks by government forces were repelled. In this battle, the Peshmerga Forces gave 12 martyrs and 27 wounded.

Achievements of the Revolution:

The achievements of the Revolution in this epic were the seizure of 2 armored vehicles and 3 machine guns of 14,5 mm and 12,5 mm and more than 1000 Kalashnikovs and 47 Brno rifles, 10 (BKC), 20 (ARPG), 9 (RBK), and many mortars of 60 mm and 120 mm and a large number of mortar shells, 3 radio sets with large military equipment.

Government reaction:

After the attack, the government poured its hatred on the region and, for retaliation, banned food in the villages; on top of that, it continuously shelled with long-range cannons and airplanes.

Source:

  1. Shimal Zebari, Some hidden facts in Gulan Revolution in, 1 edition, Rojhelat Printing House, Erbil – 2015.

  2. Ghazi Adil Gerdi, A Peshmerga in the service of the path of Barzani, Haji Beroxi, Volume 2, Second Edition, Turkey-2021.

  3. Masoud Barzani, Barzani and the Kurdish Liberation Movement, Volume 4, 1975-1990 Gulan Revolution, Part 2, First Edition, Ruksana Printing House, 2021.