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KURDISTAN

KURDISTAN - HOMELAND FOR KURDS

@Written, compiled and edited by Hasan Md Shamsuddin

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KURDISTAN - HOMELAND FOR KURDS

Introduction

1. Kurds can be considered as world’s largest ethnic minority. This nation


is divided in five parts and the people at present are located among the
states of Turkey , Syria , Iran , Iraq and some parts of former Soviet union.
The total population are approximately 20 to 30 million. In all these countries
Kurds are unable to live in freedom and in some places cannot speak their
own language freely . Due to their very existence over the centuries the
Kurds were always the problem creator for the government. For attaining their
political aim they had to take help form the enemies of the country in which
they live. As these people were unable to receive the proper education they
remained as backward people , though presently , their leaders are well
educated and some of them received education from abroad. Now they have
growing middle class and the lifestyle of these people are different then that of
in the mountain dwellers. Inspite of this changes they try to keep strong social
and cultural ties with their traditions. From the early history Kurds are
suppressed by the powerfull nations around them. In 10 century Arabs
massacred lot of Kurdish people , in 1920 British bombed the Kurds, in 1988
Saddam’s Anfal campaign killed lot of Kurds. Nobody can guaranty that these
massacres will not be repeated to these people.

2. Kurdistan the homeland of Kurds is a vast mountainous highland


which extends in the form of a crescent from the neighbourhood of Persian
gulf in the south to the Mediterranean sea in the north west. Kurdish
nationalists define Kurdistan as an area bigger than France , extending
across the Zagros into Turkey , Syria , Iraq and Iran. In other way we can say
that the estimated area of 550000 sq. km of Kurdistan is situated between
the Iranian plateau and the Mesopotamia steppe in the east and west , the
Armenia tableland in the north , and the Anatolia lowland in the west. It is a
region well endowed with oil and minerals , where fast flow streams of water
are available for hydro electric project. Centuries of oppression have not
succeeded in obliterating Kurds and now their greater numbers and
international visibility make their demand for self determination even more
difficult to deny.

Aim

3. The aim of this paper is to give a brief idea about the Kurdistan and its
people and the present situation prevailing there .

Scope

4. Following topics are discussed in this paper :

a. Back ground history

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b. Language
c. Kurdistan the home land of Kurds
d. Natural resources of Kurdistan, water oil and mineral
e. Political awareness for nationalism
f. Political parties in Kurdistan and leaders
g. Kurds of Turkey
h. The Kurds of Iraq
j. Kurds in Iran , Syria and CIS
k. Future of Kurds hope and dream of freedom.

Back ground history

5. The origin of Kurdish division dates back to the end of first world war
when Turkey unconditionally surrendered and allies divided among
themselves the vast Ottoman Empire. The kurdish nation and the whole
middle eastern region except Iran was under the Ottoman rule for more then
three centuries , from 1636 until 1918. In terms of ethnic origin , the Kurds
belong to the Indo European family of nations. The origins of the Kurds are
uncertain and much disputed . What is clear is that they are amongst the
oldest people on earth. In the third millennium BC , there were tribes in the
western Iran Known to the Sumerians , the Babylonians , and later the
Assyrians , as Guto or Qurti. In the 8th century BC , the Assyrian were
conquered by the Medes, who overrun a large part of the territory occupied
today by the Kurds. Around 550 BC the Medes were in turn conquered by the
Persians , the two population merged together without much difficulty. The
Kurds adopted the monotheistic Zoroastrian religion of the Persians.

6. Nomadic Aryan tribes who began to migrate from their original home in
central Asia in about 2500 BC . However the Aryan s’ migration accelerated
by 1500 BC and spread to Afghanistan , India , to the Zagros highlands, and
Europe where , they imposed their language and ethnic characteristics upon
the people whom they brought under their control. Some historical records
shows that the Kurds have been living continuously in the Kurdistan highlands
since the beginning of history in 3000 BC.

7. In the course of long time of ancient history now and then one or
another tribe or principality , living in any one of those numerous Zagros
district , became prominent and their names appeared in the historical
records. At a later date another group of people or tribe might developed into
a strong kingdom and became powerful enough to challenge the empires of
the plain. Those names that appeared in the ancient historical records are
called Zagros group of people or Zagros nation who were ethnically and
linguistically related and were branches of the ancient Kurds. Who all were
those ancient Kurds ? The ancient Kurds were mountaineer people who were
the native inhabitants of the Zagros highlands at the time when Sumarians
established themselves in the southern part of Mesopotamia in about 3000
BC. The historians call those mountaineer people of the Zagros highlands
‘Zagros people’ ‘Zagros group of people’ , ‘ Zagros nation’ . In ancient times
Zagros was inhabited by mountaineer group of people or tribe who were

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more or less homogeneous in speech and ethnically related. Among these
Zagros groups , the Elamites and Kurds were the most prominent.

8. From the history we can say that the ancient Kurds were the native
inhabitants of the Zagros highlands and ethnically and linguistically belonged
to the ancient Caucasian race and spoke the ancient Caucasian language the
living survival of which still is in use among the Georgian people. The Zagros
group whose names appeared in the ancient historical records , such as Lullu,
Guti, kashshu (Kassite) , Hurri - Mittani , and Urartu were identified as
branches of the same ancient Kurds who appeared on the historical scene at
different times and in different parts of the Zagros highland. In the ancient
world the ancient Kurds were party to the two-way struggle which was going
on between the plain dwellers of the south and the highlanders of the north..
The famous conquerors from Sumerian city state , Akkadian , Babylonian and
Assyrian empires carried on campaigns of war and conquest against the
ancient Kurds in the Zagros highland. In the Sumarian , Akkadian ,
Babylonian, cuneiform inscriptions and in the Assyrian annals we find
sufficient historical records dealing with these two-way struggle between the
plain dwellers of Mesopotamia and the highlanders of Zagros which throw
light on Kurdish ancient history.

9. A turning point in kurdish history came in the 7 th century when, Omar


the second Caliph , undertook a campaign against the Persians, in the
course of which he conquered Armenia and Kurdistan and tried to impose
upon them * the new religion of Islam. While the Armenians soon came to
accept the new ruler , the Kurds continued to resist . In the year 980 lot of
kurdies were crucified by the Arabs. Eventually the Kurds accepted Islam ,
gaining in return relief from taxation and retains their territories. By this
arrangement , continued in the 11th century with the invading Seljuks from
Turkey, the Kurds were left to rule themselves more or less independently
and over some 300 years developed their own dynastic families. The territory
of the Kurds was incorporated into the Ottoman empire at the beginning of the
16 th century , but they appeared to have maintained a fair measure of
cultural and economic liberty .

10. Kurdish tribes , individually or in loose alliance opposed the ottoman at


various times throughout the period of the empire, but each rebellion was
harshly suppressed . By the late 19 th century , a form of kurdish nationalism
began to develop. It was much weakened , however by initial rivalries. World
war 1 gave Kurds an opportunity to revive the struggle for independence, but
many tribes supported the ottoman government. The lake of common sense
has been a major factor in preventing the Kurds from achieving the
independence. The kurdish habit of fighting among themselves has been
acquired over many centuries and persist in these days. The origin of kurdish
division dates back to the end of the first world war when turkey
unconditionally surrendered and the allies divided themselves the vast domain
of the ottoman empire . The kurdish nation is divided into five parts and
distributed among the states of turkey , Syria , Iraq , Iran and soviet union.
Kurdish population is estimated to be 25 million distributed as follows : In
Turkey 12 million, Iran 7 million, Iraq 4 million , Former soviet union 1.15

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million and in Syria 1 million. Tribes of kurdish origin are settled in
Baluchistan, Afghanistan and Algiers. An estimated 170,000 Kurds live in
different European countries , Canada, USA and Australia. (graph showing
population in annex A)

Language.

11. The modern Kurdish nation belongs to the Indo European family of
nation. The Kurdish language is a branch of the Indo - European (Aryan)
family of language which includes Kurdish, Baluchi, Persian, Afghan , Urdu ,
Russian , German , French and English. All these Indo - European languages
have a common root, they all are derives from the original primitive Aryan
language which was spoken by actual people called nomadic Aryan tribes
who began to migrate from their original home in central Asia in about 2500
BC. However the Aryans migration accelerated by 1500 BC and spread to
Afghanistan , India , to the Zagros highlands ,and Europe where they impose
their language and ethnic characteristics upon the people whom they brought
under their control.

12. The ancient Kurds , however the native inhabitants of the Zagros
highlands , belonged to the Caucasian race and spoke the ancient Caucasian
language. These changes in the ethnic and linguistic composition of the Kurds
were brought about by Median control over Zagros for 150 years (700 BC -
558 BC ) . It was during this period of Median supremacy over Zagros and
most part of the middle east when ancient Kurds coalesced with the Medes
and changed their ancient Caucasian language into the median dialect. The
Median dialect was a branch of the primitive Aryan tongue. In order to explain
how these changes in the ethnic and linguistic composition of the ancient
Kurds were brought about by mixing with the Medes , it is required to narrate
who the Aryan people were how they arrived in the Iranian plateau and the
Zagros highlands, and when the great Aryan migration commenced.

13. The Aryan nation was composed of numerous Nomadic tribes who
dwelt in the steppe region of central Asia. They called themselves Aryan and
spoke a language called Aryan. Their original place of residence must have
lain in the great steppe that stretches north and Northeast of the Caspian sea
to the oxas and Jaxartes rivers. From the region east and north of Caspian
sea , waves of Nomadic Aryan tribes migrated through the steppe into the
Iranian plateau. The name Iran is derived from the ancient Iranian genitive
plural Aryanam - (land) of the Aryans , the geographical expression Iran ,
therefore, is a modified form of Aryanam , which means the land of Aryan.

14. Modern historians use the term Indo- European to cover all three
branches of the Aryan nations : Indic , Iranic and European families of nation.
However , in spite of omitting the use of the Aryan name, the fact remains
that the Aryan called themselves Aryans , not Indo- Europeans, the Aryan
nation were real living people and spoke the real Aryan language. They called
themselves Aryan , meaning the noble people. The meds called themselves
Aryans , and were generally known under that name by their neighbours and
subjects. The term Indo- European is of recent origin , coined to replace the

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name of ancient Aryan nation . It seems modern historians have avoided the
use of Aryan because the term Aryan has been used in a superior racial
connections since the 19 th century.

15. The Median nation. Kurds claims themselves as the successors of the
Medes. Ethnically and linguistically the Medes belonged to the Aryan nation
and constituted one of its important subdivisions. The Median nomadic tribes
emigrated during the time of the Great Aryan Migration through the steppe to
the cultivated land of Northern Iran , subsequently the Medes moved
Southwest and occupied a tract of land between the eastern edge of the
Zagros range and the Iranian plateau , close to the modern district of
Hamadan. Medians dominated Zagros for 150 years . It was during this 150
years of Median domination and supremacy over the Zagros highlands and
adjacent region when the Kurds coalesced with the Medes and changed their
ancient Caucasian language into the Median Aryan language.

16. How the Median nation imposed their Ethnic and Linguistic
Characteristics upon the ancient Kurds. The Medes were by far the most
successful of the Aryan tribes interms of their ability to assimilate other
cultures, perhaps due to the fact that they were hailed as liberators by those
who suffered under the Assyrian yoke. The Medes showed mighty military
strength when they defeated the Scythians and cleared them out of the
Zagrose highland and its adjacent areas . The Medes rose to the position of a
great power when they defeated the Assyrian Empire and occupied Nineveh
in 612 BC. With the outstanding victories the Medes gained a tremendous
fame and prestige which simulated many different groups living in Zagros to
enter willingly under their banner to affiliate themselves with them. By the
Aryans of Zagros , The Medes were welcomed as champions come to deliver
them from grievances and oppression. The Medians power and influence had
a unified effect among the Aryan tribes who were living in the Zagros
highlands. Aryan tribes united under Medes command , and lead intern to
increase of median power and helped them to establish their supremacy over
Zagros. Subsequently the name Mede became an appellation for all Aryan
tribes living in Zagros highlands

17. The Medes and Ancient Kurds. Among the ancient Kurds , the Medes
were regarded as heroes and liberators for leading anti - Assyrian opposition.
when the Medes arrived in eastern Zagros, they found themselves among the
settled communities of ancient Kurds. During that time they were a weak and
were under the threat of Assyrian aggression. In 700 BC when Medes
emerged as a nation it began to offer resistance to the Assyrians , the ancient
Kurds sided with the Medes. The alliance with the ancient Kurds contributed
to the economic resources and the military powers of the Medes. As the
Medes advanced westward along the Zagros chain they came into control of
ancient grain belt which added to their food supply. Metal which Medes could
easily obtain adds to their arms. The Kurds provided the Median army with a
solid fighting force. During 150 years period (700 BC - 550 BC ) of Median
rule over the Zagros highlands and its adjacent area, the ancient Kurds
coalesced with the Medes and changed their ancient Caucasian language into
Median language. One of the unique and amazing attributes of the Indo

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European tribes was their capacity to assimilate the people they dominated
and with this quality they changed or assimilated all the peoples living in the
Zagros including Kurds within them.

18. Who are the Kurds ? The logical place to begin the search for a truly
Kurdish spirituality is at the origin of the Kurdish nation which can be traced
back to the ancient Zagros mountain people and in particular , to the Kassites.
Though little is known of the Kassites , the name of some of their gods have
survived. Significantly , these names are Indo - Iranian in origin even though
the Kassites were not of Aryan stock and spoke a semetic language. It also
explains the readiness of the Kassites to be assimilated by the north Iranian
speaking Medes in the early to middle seventh century BC , and their
subsequent adoption of the Median language.

Kurdistan the homeland for Kurds.

19. Kurdistan as a geographical expression means the home land for


Kurds. It is a compound noun made up of two words , the ethnological Kurds ,
plus the territorial suffix .ISTAN. In Avesta , the holy book of Zoroaster , it
signifies the place where people are bound to the soil from which they obtain
their livelihood. Literally it means the dwelling place. By adding the suffix
istan to the collective name of any people , a compound noun was formed to
denote the homeland of that particular people. Kurdistan is a mountainous
country located in the north west of Asia . In size Kurdistan is equal to France
with an area of approximately 530,000 square kilometres. When gen. outline
of Kurdistan was drawn automatically Zagros mountain comes in the picture.
This vast elevated highland was known to the ancient Greeks and Romans as
Zagros, while in modern geography it bears the name of Kurdistan and
Luristan. (Map of ethno geographical boundary in annex B)

20. Kurdistan is basically a mountainous highland which rises above its


surrounding. In the north , Kurdistan is located between Iskanderon gulf ,anti
Taurus range , Ararat mountain , and the Caucasian plain, where the
Kurdistan frontier crosses the Armenian border and enters Transcaucasus.
The western and northern mountain ranges of Kurdistan skirt the Anatolian
lowland. In the west and east Kurdistan is confined between the eastern end
of the Mesopotamian plain and the western edge of the arid high Iranian
plateau. The eastern limit of Kurdistan is drawn by the Aras river which runs
along its north-eastern extremely and the eastern shore of lake Urmia , and a
line that runs like an ARC in a south-easterly direction along the Bakhtiari and
Luristan mountains to the Northeast of the Persian gulf. In the Northwest the
Sinjar range encloses the deserts of the Northwest of Iraq, which lies to its
south. The hills of Jezirah , The Euphrates river , and the Kurdish mountain (
Jabel Akrad) , overhanging Aleppo, separate Kurdistan high tableland from
the desert steppe of the east and Northwest of Syria. Due to its geographical
formation Kurdistan is a highland elevated from its surroundings. (Areas of
kurdish land is shown in annex C)

21. The shape of Kurdistan has been described by a number of writers. To


geographers its mountain system forms the backbone of the middle east , with

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the old Zagros chain running from Ararat in the north along the present Iraq -
Iran border southward to join the southern ranges near Kaaniqin, this forms
its spinal and the parallel ridges which are connected with it from the west and
east , constitute its ribs, to some writers ,Kurdistan resembles a crescent , the
southern and northern ends of which touch the Persian gulf and the
Mediterranean sea . To others the shape of Kurdistan resembles a sickle.
More frequently Kurdistan has been described as the heart of the region
because almost all the water supply of the area comes from Kurdistan. In the
hills , valleys , and mountain sides of Kurdistan almost all the rivers of the
area have their origin. The Euphrates , Tigris, Khabour , great Zab, Lesser
Zab, Diyala, Alwand ( Halwan ) Aras, Kizli Uzan or Safid Rud , Kerkha river
and Dizful headwaters, all have their sources in Kurdistan which churns out
water. ‘a life giving element in the dry region of the middle east, like a heart
through which these rivers resembles arteries. Other writers considers
Kurdistan to be the ‘cradle of mankind” because here at the foot of some of its
southern outer ranges the earliest farming villages developed around 7000
BC. Having certain degree of culture and social organisation. These
communities contrasted with southern Iraq, with its natural beauty, grand
scenery , flowing plains , misty valleys , and fair weather Kurdistan is said to
be like the Garden of Eden which was described in the Bible. Indeed to those
who come from the bare desert steppe of Iraq , Syria, and arid bare plateau of
Iran , Kurdistan look like a perfect paradise.

22. Colonel W G Elohineson , chief of British military intelligent during the


second world war , draws the ethnic boundaries of Kurdistan as follows ;
Kurdistan the country of Kurds may be described as resembling the arc
stretching from Luristan in the Southeast to Malatia in the west. This area is
bounded in the north by a line which runs approximately through Erivan,
Erzurum, Erzinjan, Malatia, and Marash. On the south west , the boundary is
drawn along the southern fringe of the Turkish foothills to the Tigris and then
through the Jebel Hamrin to the neighbour hood of Khaniqin. The eastern limit
lies in Persia and running in a south easterly direction from Everan includes
the districts of Urmia , Sauj Bulaq, Saqqiz, Sinneh and Kermanshah. South -
east of the highroad from Khaniqin to Kermanshah live the Lakks and Lurs
who are sometimes classified as Kurds. (British source)

23. A land without frontier , Kurdistan is , it goes without saying , that


country inhabited by the Kurds. This name in the course of centuries has been
given to those areas. more or less extensive , which have altered from epoch
to epoch. Today officially , it no longer figures on maps printed on Turkey ,
although it did appear during the time of the Ottoman Empire. On the other
hand the map indicates in Iran a Kurdish western province which is far from
containing all the Kurds , even those of Iran . ‘Kurdistan forms the backbone
of the middle east . Situated in the heart of Asia minor , it occupies the greater
part of that mountainous region which extends between the black sea and the
steppes of Mesopotamia on one side, and the Anti Taurus range and the
Iranian Plateau , on the other. Its territory , which has the shape of a sickle or
crescent , according to one’s imaginative taste, is nearly as large as France
and forms large parts of Turkey , Iran and Iraq. Despite this , its inhabitants
are clearly distinguished by race, language and history from the Turks,

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Persians and Arabs. The Kurds ethnic boundaries with the Arabs can be
accurately traced . There is a natural demarcation line separating Kurdish
highland from the semi desert lowland inhabited by Arabs. The Kurds share
about 2000 km of border with the Arabs, commencing from the Persian gulf
and extending to the Mediterranean sea . Along their long frontier the Arab
tribes have in some places , crossed beyond the Kurdish ethnic line and have
established enclaves and communities on the kurdish land.(French sources).
(Percentage of total area Kurdistan in the countries as per annex D)

24. A fairly large number of Kurds are distributed outside of the Kurdistan
border, or outside the border of Turkey , Iran , and Iraq, especially in Syria
and in the Soviet Union ( in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and other
provinces) . There are kurdish colonies located outside of the real Kurdistan of
Turkey and also outside of Iranian Kurdistan (especially in Mazindaran ,Near
Kilon Abdo and around Kazvin.) This phenomenon is explained by the exile
policy which was followed by the Shahs of Fars with the Kurds. From all these
we can say that Kurds In Turkey at present time, represent the absolute
majority in the wilayets of Erzurum, Sivas , Kars, Akri, Van,Mush , Sorat,
Diarbakir, Mardin , Arafa, and Alaziz. In Iran they occupy completely the
vilayet of Azerbaizan . In Iraq the Kurds concentrates in the four northern
provinces of suleimaniyah , Arbil , kirkuk, and Mosul., and also in the Khaniqin
area of the Diyala province. The Suleimaniyah province is purely a Kurdish
province as is Arbil province except for an Arab tribe of Tai which inhabits the
district of Kuer or the Turkoman of Erbil. In the two provinces of kirkuk and
mosul almost half of the population are Kurds.

Natural resources of Kurdistan , water oil and minerals.

25. After centuries of decline Kurdistan is once again becoming an


important economic region. Its mineral and water resources , its agricultural
potential and its position as a communication link between Turkey , Syria,
Iraq, Iran and central Asia have combined to give a new twist to the old story
of Kurdistan’s fight for independence. In the days when silk route passed
through Kurdistan , it was a prosperous area . Now despite its wealth of
natural resources , its people are among the poorest in the middle east. In
Turkey the south east provinces have a standard of living far below that of the
western part of the country. The guerrilla warfare which has plagued
Kurdistan for decades has prevented the modernisation which is so
desperately needed . The presence of rebellious Kurdish tribe has been and
still is a great inconvenience to economic planners . Yet it ought to be clear by
now that no amount of repression will eliminate Kurdish nationalism and the
desire for free use of language and culture.

26. Kurdistan is considered to be one of the richest countries in the middle


east. Nature has endowed the Kurdish homeland with all the elements
necessary for prosperity and progress. Among the parallel chains of Kurdish
highlands lie numerous broad and productive valleys. There are a number of
undulating fertile plains which depends on rain for cultivation. Kurdish life
reflects the typical image of a Middle Eastern agrarian society. Only a third of
the population work in the secondary and tertiary sector in the towns, although

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that proportion is increasing rapidly as Kurds are driven from the countryside
by unemployment and the repressive policies of their rulers. The rural Kurdish
population has always subsisted on an economy combining cultivation and
pasture, and the nomadic way of life has never been the predominant one.
The most common crops are wheat barley and lentils . The cultivation of
vegetables and fruit varies from region to region . Although a substantial
economy predominates in the mountain regions a surplus of grain is produced
in the plains of Iraq and Syria. Cotton has recently begun to grow for the first
time in some parts of Turkish Kurdistan.

27. In Kurdistan , there are two vast grain belts for the production of grain
and cereal which depends solely on rain for cultivation. The western grain belt
alone is about twice the size of England . An excellent pasturland and grazing
ground exists for raising folks of goat sheep and cattle. Kurdish society is
basically agrarian. Its economy is based on agriculture and animal husbandry.
It should be observed that the Kurdistan highland is the natural habitat for
grain and serial. They are still grown naturally on the hill sides and slopes of
the mountains. Prior to the present political termoil in the middle east Iraq was
exporting large quantities of grain and cereal grown in Kurdistan. Iraq
exported one million tons of barley annually to Europe. About two million tons
of wheat and cereal were sold annually to Iran , Syria, Lebanon and central
Europe. Summer crops such as rice , corn , cotton, beets are produced in
large quantities by means of irrigation. Kurdish tobacco , considered to be a
good quality , is sold throughout the middle east or delivered to cigarette
factories. There are one cigarette factory in Suleimaniyah , one in Mosul and
two in Baghdad, which consume tobacco cultivated in Kurdistan in Iraq.

28. Animal Husbandry is one of the important sources of income in


Kurdistan. Thanks to suitable climate and sufficient amounts of rainfall ,
extensive pasture and excellent grazing ground exist throughout Kurdistan.
The Kurdish nomads who formed 30 % of Kurdish population before they
dispersed after 1921 were engaged solely in raising flocks of sheep, goats,
cattle, horse and mules. Poultry such as chicken , *Turkey goose and duck
are part of every household in the country and with eggs , they constitute
articles of internal trade. Fruit and vegetables are produced in large quantity
as well. Traditionally , the Kurds are very fond of orchards. The Kurdish ideal
house is one surrounded with orchard . All families who own land in the
country built their own orchard. Good qualities of apple , pears , peaches and
grapes were produced in large quantities. The grapes are grown on the
hillsides , mountain slopes and in the valleys. Kurdistan is considered to be
the natural habitat for grapes. Important economic vegetables such as melons
, cucumbers and pumpkins are produced in large quantities. Because of the
close proximity of Kurdistan to the European market , fruits ,vegetables and
grapes could bring a big revenue to the country. A special freight train could
take fresh fruit and vegetables from Kurdistan to Berlin, Amsterdam and
London in a matter of days.

29. These agricultural elements of the Kurdish economy have been joined
in the 20th century by oil and water . Much of Iraq’s oil reserves appear to lie
in the Kurdish areas around Kirkuk and Mosul. Most of the Turkey’s oil has

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been found in Kurdistan. In the fields near Adiyaman ,Batman, and Diyarbakir
. Syria has oil in its north eastern corner , close to the areas claimed by
Kurdish nationalists. In short Kurdistan is rich in oil- a fact which would help
to make an independent Kurdistan viable but which almost makes it highly
unlikely that its present host states will relinquish control. water too is a major
asset for the Kurdish mountains are the source of most of the river water
which flows into Syria , Iraq and western Iran. Turkeys ability to control the
head waters of the Tigris and the Euphrates gives it a powerful weapon to
brandish against rivals to the south . Yet Turkish water could also be a tool for
peace and mutual economic advantage. Turgut Ozal proposed a giant peace
pipeline to carry water from Turkey down as far as Saudi Arabia . But his idea
was received with more suspicion then enthusiasm by the Arab nations. Trust
is a rare commodity in the middle east.

30. Mineral resources and oil. Kurdistan is considered to be rich in mineral


resources . In the foot of numerous ridges and broad belt of hills , a number of
important mineral resources are reported. Deposits of Iron and coal exist over
a fairly large area . Copper is reported in Shamdinan , Hawraman and
Karadagh districts. Lead occur in the neighbourhood of Akra, Amadia and in
the valley of Great Zab. Asbestos and Magnesium are found in Bazinja
district. Zinc and tin are found along Karadagh range. Uranium ore is found in
the hilly district of Khanaqin , in the Qasni shereen on the Iranian side of the
border and in Luristan. Silver and gold ores have been reported in the head
water districts of Khabour, in the Sinjar district and in Zakho. Gypsum
abounds in many localities. Kurdistan is extremely rich in oil The only oil field
in Turkey is located in the district of Van. In Iran , Oil is extracted near the
Kurdish city of Kirmanshah. In Kurdistan , In Iraq oil is extracted from four oil
fields , Ain Zala, kirkuk, Zanboor and Khaniqin. These four oil fields are only a
small fraction of the extensive oil belts still not explored.

31. Thorough geographical examination and testing by modern methods


indicates that Kurdistan is standing on an ocean of oil. In the following places
oil is known to exist but not extracted yet.

a. Khaniqin - Mandali district. This oil belt is considered one of the


richest in the world. In early 1950 an un known party dug two wells
in the Qorato country , but no further exploitation was made.

b. Sangaw plain - This undulating plain belongs to the kirkuk


province and is located on the southern side of the Karadagh
range. Around the village of Dalo , sulphates springs out from the
ground. On the other side of the Karadagh range oil comes out mixed
with water which dashes down through the deep gorge cut from the
mountain.

c. Chamchamal town - In the low depression west of Chamchamal


, approximately 25 kilometre from famous Kirkuk oil field - there is a
promising oil belt.

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d. Showan District - About 20 km north of Kirkuk city and 10 km
west of Aghjalar municipality, sulphate comes out of the ground and
strong smell of oil exists in the surrounding.

e. Arbil Province - Taq Taq belt . An oil belt is located in the area
around Taq Taq , which is on the lesser Zab, where the Arbil - Kirkuk
road cross lesser Zab . North and south of Taq Taq oil mixes with
lesser Zab water.

f. An oil belt is located a short distance west of the Koy Sinjaq


town.

g. Kandinawa district in Dizayee plain - In 1986 an extensive oil


belt was discovered in the Kandinawa district . The Iraqi government
forcibly evacuated all the villagers from the area as a preliminary
measure for oil exploitation.

h. In the foot of Shaqlaw chain , an oil belt exists.

32. In Suleimaniyah province :

a. Nawti oil belt . In the Karadagh district , there is a village called


Nawti - which means in Kurdish language ‘the place of oil’ Until the
early part of the 17 th century people used to collect oil from pits in
the Nawti village and used it for light.

b. Halabja oil belt - In the vicinity of Halabja town there is an


extensive oil belt. Just east of Halabja lies a rugged hilly area. Among
these hills , few deep and narrow valleys are found where sulphate
mixed with oil creeps down into the valley.

It should be remembered that on march 17 , 1988 the Iraqi war planes


bombard the beautiful town of Halabja with Chemical bombs , Killing 5000
innocent people on the spot. Since then the people of Halabja were forcibly
evacuated from there and placed on Arabat area 25 km west of Halabja. They
are refugees and are not allowed to go back to their villages.

Political awareness for nationalism.

33. One of the heroes of the Kurdish history during the Ottoman ere was ,
Prince Badir khan Bey. he planned to found an independent Kurdistan which
would also grant autonomy to all non Muslims , such as Armenians and
Assyrian Christians. Like many Kurdish leaders before and since, Badir khan
was betrayed ( by his own nephew ) and ended up in exile. On the collapse of
the Ottoman Empire at the end of World war 1 its former territories were
divided up into new countries with the conquering powers retaining spheres of
influence. France acquired a mandate over Syria , Britain over Mesopotamia.
However in 1918, US president Woodrow Wilson had declared a set of 14
points for world peace which included the right of self determination. This right
was promised to the Kurds in the treaty of Sevres which was signed in 1920

12
between the defeated Ottomans and the victorious European powers. The
Treaty provided for Kurdish autonomy in part of the former Ottoman empire
with a Kurdish majority in the population, “lying east of the Euphrates , to the
south of a still to be established Armenian frontier and to the north of the
frontier between Turkey , Syria and Mesopotamia.

34. The Treaty provided for absolute guarantees for the minorities within
the region , but also that if the Kurdish majority subsequently voted for
complete independence , Turkey would renounce all her remaining rights and
titles to the area. The newly established League of nations was to surprise the
preparation of the Kurds for independence. Unfortunately for the kurds , the
treaty was signed by the outgoing Ottoman administration and not by the new
ruler of Turkey Mustafa Kemal (later known as Ataturk, the father of Turkey
) ,who soon rejected it. For the Kurds , who had fought alongside Kemal for
the new Turkish republic , it was a bitter blow, made worse when the new
Turkish government banned the Kurdish language from official use and from
schools , and embarked on a tough programme of “Turkisation” of place
names and public life. The fact Kemal was able to carry out this programme
was at least partly due to a change in the policy of western powers towards
the Kurds. The high morale tone of promising independence for an oppressed
people quickly succumbed to strategic expediency. After all , the new Turkey
under Kemal was developing into a secular Europeanised state , having shed
the out - moded trappings of the Ottomans. The thought of embarking on
another war in order to create a new country for a divided and unruly group of
tribes had little appeal. It was better to accept the idea of kurd assimilation
into a unified Turkish state in return for control of the oil provinces of Iraq,
which were also claimed by Kemal.

35. The founding of the state of Iraq under British mandate in the 1920s
brought the British face to face with the Kurdish problem. Britain’s nominee
for King of Iraq , Faisal - 1 wanted the oil provinces of Mosul and Kirkuk ,
both in Kurdish territory, in order to make the economy more viable , and he
also doubted his ability to keep control of a predominantly Shiite population .
By incorporating the Kurds ,mainly Sunnis , into Iraq both problems might be
solved. But although the Kurdish language was to be officially recognised and
taught in Iraqi schools , and Kurds were invited to take positions of
responsibility in government and administration , the Kurdish leaders felt
betrayed . They had been promised their own state. Now they were expected
to support an artificial country in which Arabs would form majority. There
began a series of uprisings and Britain was drawn into the position of having
to help the new king of Iraq to suppress the Kurds. The RAF carried out
bombing raids on Kurdish rebel areas.

36. All the countries in the region were afraid of Kurdish separatism as well
as suspicious of each other. The Kurds were frequently used as pawns in the
strategic game played by both western and regional powers. Thus before
world war ll Turkey , Persia and Iraq signed a joint agreement to co- operate
to resist groups (kurds) who aimed to destroy or destabilise existing
institutions. Once again the kurds were made to realise the truth of their
proverb ‘ the kurds have no friends but the mountains’. Kurdish national

13
consciousness continued to developed despite the attempts of all countries in
the region to suppress it. A Kurdish voice first appeared in 1898 ( with the
publication in Cairo of the news paper Kurdistan) and there have been
successive attempt by Kurdish intellectuals to create a nationalist movements.
However the leadership has all too often remain divided and inward looking ,
relying on shifting alliances and weighted down by the encrustation of
tribalism. The kurds educational disadvantages have not helped .A sense of
unity has been elusive , but now seems to be gathering stean following the
shared experience of recent Gulf wars and greater international awareness of
the Kurdish plight.

Political parties in Kurdistan and leaders.

37. There are many parties in Kurdistan with different ideologies .The Main
parties are as follows :

a. Masoud Barzani , the son of Kurdish Hero Mulla Mustafa


Barzani , who led the independence movement between 1945
and his death from cancer in 1978 is head of the Iraqi Kurdish
democratic party (KDP ) . formed in 1946 ,the KDP as been the most
active Kurdish political party for most of the period since ,It is
conservative in its philosophy , with a strong emphasis on
religion and family. The KDP’s main sphere of influence is in
northern Iraq. The KDP has a force of at least 15000
peshmerga.

b. Jalal Talabani, arch -rival of barzani who in 1976 founded the


Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan ( PUK) based on marxist principles.
The PUK has been supported by Syria. The Talabani family has a
strongly religious background. The PUK’s strong hold is in the
southern part of Iraqi Kurdistan.. The PUK commands a
peshmerga force of about 15000.

c. The workers party of Kurdistan (PKK) was founded in 1978


as a Marxist - Leninist party aiming for a free Kurdistan plus freedom
from colonialism and the class structure. It does came into conflict
with other freedom movements led by tribal chiefs. The PKK has
been led from the beginning by Abdullah Ocalan ,popularly known as
Apo.

d. The Iranian Kurdish Democratic party, (KDP - I) , established


in 1946 in the Kurdish republic of Mahabad and legalised in 1979
following the ousting of the Shah , is currently led by Mustafa
Hageri. There are also KDP parties in Syria and Turkey. Other parties
include the Komala, Islamic movements and the socialist party of
Kurdistan.

14
The Kurds of Turkey

38. The constitution of Turkey bans on expression of Kurdish identity or


culture. Article 3 declares that the Turkish state is indivisible and its language
is Turkish. The result is that any discussion of the self rule by non Turkish is
treasonable and , under article 125 of the penal code is punishable to death.
Although the treaty of Lausanne was supposed to guarantee the rights of the
minorities to their own language and culture , Kemal banded all manifestation
of non Turkish behaviour in 1925, as part of his single minded effort to create
a new unified state. Since many kurds did not speak Turkish , they were
effectively deprived of an education as well as self determination unless they
were prepared to be assimilated as ‘mountain Turks’. Various resistance
movements were mounted but the rebellions were ruthlessly suppressed.
South east Turkey remained a military area banned to foreigners from 1925
to 1965. In 1983 the Kurdish provinces were put under martial law to combat
the activities of a new separatist movements led by the PKK. The violence of
this uprising was later fuelled by a local unemployment figure of 50 %.

39. Conciliatory move by the Turgut Ozal government in early 1991 (repeal
of the law forbidding use of the Kurdish language and amnesty for the Kurdish
prisoners ) were forgotten when Ozal was replaced by the conservative
Suleyman Demirel. Demirel is opposed to allowing any special recognition of
the Kurdish region on the ground that this would open a Pandora’s box of
claims from other ethnic group. Better to complete the integration of Kurds
into Turkish society than to recognise special minority rights. Faced with what
it sees as ‘rampant terrorism’ the government has restored to its traditional
policy of military crack down. A new anti-terrorist law has passed in 1992,
effectively giving the military carte blanche in dealing with the Kurds.
Meanwhile the regional governor in south east Turkey ( who has draconian
power) had set up a system of ‘village guards’ , local civilians who are paid
and armed by the government to protect the villages from the PKK. There are
some 42000 village guards but it is unclear how many are genuine volunteers.
Villagers are faced with a stark choice. If they resist the invitation to become
village guards they are likely to be shot or tortured as PKK collaborators. If
they agree to become village guards, they run the risk of being shot by the
PKK. Not surprisingly many villagers avoid the choice by moving to western
Turkey or into cities.

40. The attempt by the Turkish government to defeat the terrorist seems to
be having the opposite effect to that intended. For every villager tortured ,
another dozen are turned against the government. Military oppression has
become a recruiting sergeant for the PKK. Which now claims to be able to put
30,000 guerrillas into the field. Meanwhile the campaign is soaking up fifth of
the national budget. Conscription has become more and more unpopular and
there are perhaps as many as 250,000 draft dodgers. Turkey’s army of half a
million men is largely conscripted force and many conscripts don’t like the job
of fighting the PKK. As a loyal Nato ally , Turkey has been given the benefit of
the doubt when it comes to concern over human rights in Kurdistan. Turkey
has also been given large quantities of arms by its NATO partners , some of
which are used to wage war against the PKK. It is American made F 16 and F

15
11 jets which make periodic bombing raids against PKK camps in border
region.

41. Numerous journalists who have attempted to report on events in south


east turkey have been killed or beaten up. The pro Kurdish news paper Ozgur
Gundem (free agenda ) has been shut down. at least ten of its journalists
have been murdered . Its editor is in prison. In October 1993 ,UK MP’s of the
parliament Human rights group (PHRG) , headed by lord Avebury , reported
murders , torture and intimidation of Kurds. elected representatives and
journalists , adding that newsboys selling Ozgur Gunden had been attacked
with meat cleavers. The PHRG report concluded as follows: ‘the question of
Turkish Kurdistan is often presented as one of a reasonably democratic
government seeking to cope with an intractable problem of terrorism. We
believe that the reality is one of militate terrorists aiming to extinguish the
identity of a people’ . So why are the Turks doing it? Are they afraid of the
Kurds potential threat to Turkies long term security? Is it to protect the GAP
project for the economic development of Southeast Anatolia through
management of Kurdistan’s vast water resources ? Is it because of
Kurdistan’s oil and mineral deposits? Is it an echo of the ethnic cleansing
which resulted in the slaughter of Armenians in 1915 ? Whatever the
reasoning, present Turkish policy is both cruel and counter productive - a
policy unworthy of a great nation.

The Kurds of Iraq

42. Following the creation of Iraq after WW 1 and the failure to establish a
separate state of Kurdistan , many of the Kurds who lived in north east of Iraq
took up arms against the new “king” Faisal 1 who had been imposed upon
them. An attempt by the Kurdish leader Sheikh Mahmoud to set himself up as
King of Kurdistan ended in defeat and exile. But further rebellions persisted
throughout the 1920s and 1930s. During this period the British , as holder of
the Iraqi mandate supported the Iraqi regime in efforts to quell the Kurds.
Other states have always used Kurds to further their own political ends. Thus
the Kurds in Iraq have experienced regular cycle of help and abandonment by
the Iranians and the Syrians, the Russians and the Turks , not to mention the
European powers and the United states. Prominent in Kurdish insurrections in
Iraq was the Barzani family and , in particuler , Mulla Mustafa Barzani , who
was recognised as the principle Kurdish leader of his time. Since world war II
the struggle for kurdish autonomy in Iraq has continued relentlessly. In 1958
Faisal II and his family were assassinated in a coup led by general Qasim .
The KDP was legalised and Barzani returned from exile to attempt
negotiations with the new regime. When that failed , he led intensified Kurdish
resistance , supported by Iran , which resulted in Qasims removal from power.

43. But the Kurds were still too divided to take advantage of the situation.
Then in 1970, Barzani reached an agreement with the new Ba’athist
government (in which Saddam Hussain was already vice -president ) for
autonomy for the Kurds in Iraq and a share in government. However , as it
consolidated its power , the Ba’athist regime began to claw back some of the

16
rights promised to the Kurds and embarked on a war of suppression. In 1975
the treaty of Algiers cut off Iran’s support for the Kurds and made it easier for
saddam to carry out his programme of Arabisation in northern Iraq. During the
Iran - Iraq war of 1980 - 1988 Kurds fought on both sides but the continuing
guerrilla activities of the KDP and the PUK tied down many of Saddams
troops in northern Iraq. As the war wound down , he began to take bloody
revenge on the Kurds , In Halabja 6000 were killed by poison gas. Iraq used
these poison gas in a major offensive that began August 25 1988. The
offensive was intended to break the Kurdish insurgency and accomplished
that objective. These Chemical weapons attacks were part of an Iraqi military
policy intended to depopulate large parts of Iraqi Kurdistan . Elements of the
policy include :

a. The destruction of villages and towns throughout Kurdistan.


b. The re location of the Kurdish population into concentrated new
settlements where military control can be exercised.
c. The deportation of Kurds to areas outside of Kurdistan and
d. The use of terror tactics ,including lathe poison gas to drive
civilians out of the areas to be depopulated.
The end result of this policy could be the destruction of the Kurdish identity ,
kurdish culture , and a way of life that has endured for centuries. The policy
has been carried out with great brutality and with a cynical disregard for world
opinion and international law.

44. The official reason given for the destruction in the northern Iraq was
the decision to establish an unpopular safety zone , 30 km wide and 1200 km
long, along the frontier with Turkey and Iran. The devastation wrought by the
Anfal campaign was a key factor in the wholesale flight of the kurdish
population into the mountains at the end of the Gulf war in 1991. The
expectation that the qualition force would oust Saddam had not been fulfilled
and the Kurds expected a repeat of the Anfal atrocities. The main fear was of
chemical weapons , which the Kurds didn’t know how to combat. The
intangible clouds of chemicals dropped from aircraft were an altogether
different matter. Fleeing from Saddam Hossain’s troops and the threat of
chemical attack , almost 2 million refugees took the rough mountain track to
Iran and Turkey. Many specially the very young and the old , did not survive
the extreme cold of the mountains or were killed by Iraqi bombing raids, which
includes the use of Napalm. More then thousand people died every day.

45. The main focus of world media attention was on those refugees who
tried to enter Turkey, but almost three times as many fled to Iran. Turkey
closed its border after admitting some 200000 refugees, Iran excepted all who
came. Most of the refugees quickly returned to their home when it became
clear that Saddam was not going to be allowed to bomb them to extinction
after all. The international public attention given to the plight of the refugee
kurds forced the west to take some protective action . The notion of a ‘safe
haven’ was born and allied forces imposed a no fly zone on Iraqi planes
above the 36 th parallel. The area thus protected was only a third of Iraqi
Kurdistan, but the kurds own force have extended the region and a sort of

17
mini state has been created with its own government. It is a matter to be
observed that how long it can sustain.

Kurds in Iran , Syria & CIS

46. The Kurds are related to the Persians by language and race. This is a
different situation from that in Iraq, Syria and Turkey, where the Kurds are
subordinate to majority race which do not belong to the Iranian cultural group.
About a quarter of all Kurds now live in Iran. The region settled by them
extends from Lake Urmia in the north west down to the southern foothills of
the Zagros Mountains . In particular kurdish speaking groups inhabit the
region of Ilam , Luristan and Bakhtaran. There is also a substantial Kurdish
community in Khorasan in north east Iran. One difference between the
Iranians and kurds is that the latter are sunni muslims, while Shi’ism has been
the principal faith in Persia since about the beginning of the 16th century,
when the Safavid dynasties were still in power. Nationhood was not a centre
point of dispute between the two people during this period. As in the Ottoman
Empire . Kurdish tribe enjoyed a degree of independence although this was
largely the result of the weakness of the central power base. The Persian
Empire was even ruled by a Kurdish prince in the 18th century.

47. Kurdistan was a buffer in the conflicts and disputes between the vast
Ottoman and Persian Empires and in 1639 the two agreed to divide Kurdistan
between them by drawing their state frontiers through the land of the Kurds.
The Iran Iraq border is still virtually identical with the line drawn at that time. In
1925 the Qajar dynasty was overthrown by the Persian commander Reza
Khan Pahlavi. His centralising policies included a ban on Kurdish dress and
language and firm repudiation of political independence movements. Kurdish
revolts, led by tribal chieftains such as the notorious Simko (the Cannibal ) ,
were met with repression and deportation . In 1930 Simko was assassinated
during negotiations with Persian government officials . About 60 years later ,
similar fates , in similar circumstances , were to befall two successive Kurdish
leaders, Dr Abdur Rahman,Ghassemlou and Dr Saeed Sharafkandi. No
wonder that Kurds find it difficult to trust anyone.

48. Soviet and allied troops invaded Iran following Reza Shah’s espousal
of the German cause in world war 2 . The shah abdicated and was replaced
by his son. The Kurds saw their opportunity to found their own state and
persuaded the Soviets who were occupying the north of the country to allow
the establishment of the separate state known as Mahabad. The soviets,
however were more interested in securing oil concession from the Iranian
government than they were in defending the rights of the Kurds. When the
war was over , Iranian government troops quickly retook Mahabad. Despite
curtailing Kurds activities at home , Iran supported kurdish peshmerga in rival
Iraq. In 1975 however, aid for the rebels acting under the leadership of
Barzani were withdrawn by the Shah after he reached agreement with
Saddam Hossain in the Treaty of Algiers. The overthrow of the Shah in 1979
appeared at first sight to be another opportunity for the kurds to achieve self
determination . After all , they were fellow revolutionaries and hoped for a

18
better deal from the new populist governments. The Kurds quickly took over
police and army barracks in Kurdish areas.

49. New leader Ayatullah Khomeini had no more intention than the shah of
allowing a separatist movement to gain ground in Iran. He sent in heavy
armour and the Kurds were defeated, at least in the town. Recognising ,
however , that a purely military solution was not enough , the Kurds were
granted concessions which gave them a limited amount of self rule and
freedom for their language and culture. When Iraq invaded Iran in 1980 , the
Kurds were called into action and fought bravely - on both sides. Kurdish
rebels continued guerrilla activities in Kurdistan and KDP-I , led by Abdur
Rahman Ghassemlou took a more conciliatory and realistic line than past
Kurdish leaders and agreed to attend peace talk with Iranian in Vienna in
1988. He was assassinated in his hotel probably by Iranian agents. His
replacement Dr Saeed Sharafkandi was murdered as he sat with friends in a
restaurant in Berlin in 1992, also by Iranian agents.

50. Kurds lived in Syria alongside Arabs and Christians for centuries.
However , Kurdish languish and culture are proscribed in Syria and there
have been continuous effort to Arabise Kurdish areas. President Assad has
restricted Kurdish rights in Syria while simultaneously supporting Kurdish
guerrillas abroad when it is suited for Syria’s strategic interest. Thus the PKK
is believed to have received substantial aid from Syria. Even though PKK
bases in Syrian controlled Lebanon are no longer tolerated.* more can be
added*

51. About a million Kurds live in the CIS . Although Stalin ordered mass
deportation during the 1930’s . Kurds living in soviet controlled areas were left
relatively free as far as language and culture were concerned. Kurdish
communities exists in Armania , Azarbaizan , Georgia, Kazakhstan,
Turkmenstan and Krrgyzatan . Nearly 50 % of the Kurdish population in the
CIS live in Azarbijan. In recent decades many kurds had left their traditional
homeland to move to other countries around the world, and specially to
Germany and Scandinavian the USA. New York houses the worlds only
Kurdish library and Museum. Paris has the Institute Kurds de Paris. Kurds all
over the world trying to bring awareness regarding their freedom and
independence among all the kurdish people though the progress is very slow
but gradually it is spreading towards a common goal .

Future of the Kurds, hope and dream of freedom.

52. The dream of an independent Kurdistan , stretching across an area the


size of France , is very unlikely to be realised. None of the three nations with
significant Kurdish populations, Turkey, Iran and Iraq will easily yield the
claimed territory. Indeed it is most improbable that they will cede any territory
at all. Although there is currently an autonomous kurdish area in Iraq , its
existence depends largely on the non interference of Sadam Hossain and the
continuation of outside protection based in Turkey , hardly the most secure
foundation for a Kurdish state. The economic boycott of Iraq has had a
devastating effect on the Kurdish autonomous region in the north, since

19
Turkey will not allow essential goods to cross the border and most foreign aid
to the kurds is channelled through Baghdad. Saddam Hossain restrained from
overt military action by the presence of US war plane nearby, is doing his best
to destroy the Kurdish community in other ways. For example ,the recent
withdrawal of the 25 diner note (with which most Iraqi Kurds accumulated their
savings ) destroyed many business overnight. A separate Kurdistan is
probably out of reach for the foreseeable future. But the Kurds demand for
greater cultural and political freedom must somehow be met in the interest of
regional security as well as of human rights.

53. A change of government in Iraq could bring guarantees for the


autonomous region and agreement for some kind of federal system. Kurds in
Iran might become part of a new Iranian led Muslim foundation, while Syria’s
Kurds may be able to look forward to more cultural and language rights and a
greater say in local government. In a distant future , the Kurds in Turkey
might be reconciled to integration by economic prosperity . That prospect has
been seriously delayed by the heavy handed treatment of kurds in the south
east of the country , although huge amount are being invested in economic
development there . At present there is no sign of a change in Turks hard-line
policy. The law was recently changed to remove the immunity of MP’s from
prosecution under the new anti terrorism law. Representatives of the DEP
were effectively prevented from participating in Turkeys local elections at the
end of the march. There also they we being disappointed. Direct UN
intervention to Turkey to help the Kurds is highly unlikely. But the increase
pressure from domestic and international support of kurdish right may
eventually persuade the Turkish government to seek a negotiated settlement
to an age old problem.

CRONOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF SECURITY SITUATION IN

NORTHERN IRAQ ( AUGUST 1996 - JULY 1997).

54. During the last week of August 1996 , KDP taken over the control of all
Kurdistan including Suleimaniyah the stronghold of PUK. They captured all
three govornorate without much bloodshed.During last week of August PDK
with the help of GOI forces took over control of the Erbil governorate from
PUK . PUK lost one of their strong hold in northern Iraq and retreated to
Suleimaniyah.
8 September KDP took control of PUK held Deghala , Koisonjaq . On 9
September KDP proceeded from there and took over Dokan . They further
advanced and entered Suleimaniyah city . PDK captured Suleimaniyah
without any resistance from PUK side. It is reported that all PUK fled to Iran
via Rania and Qaladiza. Out of fear of invading forces, due to the rumour that
GOI forces are coming in support of PDK. An estimation shows that 100,000
out of 400,000 person in Suleimaniyah city fled towards the Iranian border .
After the KDP took over the administration PUK organised violent
demonstration against UN. During this period UN personnel were harassed by
the PUK. The law and order situation was unstable. It took time for PDK to

20
take control over whole area of Suleimaniyah. For that some clearing
operations were still in progress. And in those they faced some opposition.

55. During the first half of October 1996 situation turned to another side .
On 11 October 1996 PUK and PAZADR Iranian intelligent force took control
over Penjween area . On 12 October after heavy shooting and shelling Mawat
fall under PUK. On 13 October 1996 night from 0030 hrs upto 0200 hrs
morning PUK conducted operation in and around Suleimaniyah city and by
morning they took over control of some important buildings of Suleimaniyah
city. Fighting was on and the pressure were increasing from PUK side ,
finding no other alternative PDK forces retreated towards Erbil. At the same
time new Kirkuk governorate was also came under control of PUK after some
piece battle with PDK forces.

56. On 23 October 1996 cease fire agreements took place between two
fighting fraction that is PUK and PDK. Fighting was stopped in the dividing line
and elsewhere. Peace negotiation started for the extension and continuation
of cease fire. Reported by news media PDK adhered to the cease fire
agreement . After the implementation no major cease fire violation took place
in the area. In the meantime the situation in the Turkish border was
deteriorating and the situation there was tensed due to the Turkish air attack
in the bordering areas against PKK activists. On 31 December 1996 Turkish
force crossed Iraq Border and invaded Sanat valley and conducted operation
against PKK. After some time without any further progress they retreated and
went inside Turkey.

57. On 24/25 March 1997 Peace monitoring forces ( PMF ) were deployed
in the dividing line in between two fighting fractions . They have been
deployed as per the agreements between the warring fractions in Ankara.
During the month of April 1997 fighting took place between IM and PUK in
Halabja area. This was localised and not allowed to aggravate . And after
some negotiation that died down.

58. During the first week of May 1997 large concentration of Turkish forces
were visible and reported near the bordering areas with Iraq. They were
conducting operations against PKK. Some PKK personnel were reported to
move towards Syrian and Iranian borders. On 14 May 1997 Government
forces of Turkey invaded Dohuk governorate of northern Iraq and with the
help of local administration were conducting operations against PKK. Huge
deployment of Turks were visible and fighting was going on with PKK in the
mountain areas of the governorate.

59. In the last week of June 1997 Turkish force started to withdraw
themselves from the invaded areas but some of the elements are still there .
During the month of July the security situation in the north Iraq/ Kurdistan was
calm and peaceful except some tension near the Turkish border where the
troops are still present. This is in brief regarding the security situation in the
North in last one year.

21
BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Kurdistan Times, A periodical Magazine, (part 1,ll&lll)Published in


1993.
2. The Kurds ,caught between nations, Understanding Global Issues.
3. The Kurds of Iraq, Tragedy and hope , Michael M Gunter.
4. The Kurds : A concise handbook, Mehrdad. R. Lzady, Krane Russak.
5. A People without a Country : The Kurds and Kurdistan, Gerard
Chaliand.*
6. The Kurds. A nation denied, David McDowall.
7. No friends but mountains: The Tragic history of kurds. John Bulloch.
8. Genocide in Iraq : The Anfal campaign against the kurds, a middle east
watch report, Human right watch 1993.
9. Interviews with the people during stay in Kurdistan.
10. Official information collected by the writer during tour of duty.
11. The Kurds, Bois , Thomas , English edition.
12. The medes and persian, conquerer and diplomates, Collins Robert.
13. The Homeland of Kurds and Aeography of their country, Minorisky
Vladimir.
14. Kurds and Kurdistan, Safrastian , Arshak
15. Early history of Assyria, Smith, Sidney.
16. The Kurds Ethnogeographical Study , Khashak, Shakir, translation.

22

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