A major battle and confrontation between the Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi Army of the Ba'ath regime took place from 19 of July to 5 of September 1988 in the Khwakurk area of the Bradost region. With the intention of seizing control of the areas under the authority of the revolution in the border triangle (Iraq - Iran - Turkey), the Iraqi Army launched a large and widespread attack. During 45 days of fighting and aggression, the Iraqi armed forces were defeated by the Peshmerga forces and suffered heavy human and material losses. On 5 of September 1988 due to several reasons, the leadership of the revolution ordered a retreat. 

Khwakurk: 

The Khwakurk area is located in the Bradost region and consists of 30 villages. It is situated within the border triangle of (Iraq - Iran - Turkey), has an area of approximately 150 square kilometers, and contains several high mountains and peaks, consisting of a rugged and remote mountain range. Some parts of these mountain ranges are very strategic and famous, such as the Shili, Sari Chale, Korawa, Binlis, Brimishka, Jote Bra, Shakew, Gameshe, Dalanpar, Awadel Kiwi, Nazdari Dagh, Armush, Chia Del from the south, Chia Rash, and Chia Kitk mountains. The area starts from a valley behind the Lelkan village up to the border triangle of the three aforementioned countries; it is a deep valley surrounded by mountains on all four sides. The border of Khwakurk extends from the Ban village until it reaches the border; the Khazna village in the Khwakurk valley is the last settlement.

It is worth noting that in June 1982, the leadership of the revolution established its headquarters in the Berkm and Lolan area of the Bradost region. Later, the Peshmerga bases and headquarters expanded to include Male Mela, Deraw, and Goizerash up to Khnere. From then on, the area became an important center for the leadership of the revolution. This was an important turning point in the life of the revolution and the Peshmerga struggle, because it was a major step in bringing the leadership of the revolution closer to the popular bases and had a positive impact on the activation of Peshmerga groups and teams in their campaigns against the military and party institutions of the Ba'ath regime.      

Reasons for the emergence of the Battle of Khwakurk:

The political parties of Kurdistan, throughout the year 1987, recorded great battles and remarkable victories in several joint front activities. Because of this, they were able to deal fatal blows to the Ba'ath regime and take control of a number of cities, towns, and areas. Clearly, this was an encouraging factor that in July 1987, the Kurdish forces, within the framework of a unified front, formed a federation called the Kurdistan Front. In addition to this, the Iraqi government, in its eight-year war with Iran (1980 - 1988), suffered several major defeats, especially in the recapture of Fao. Saddam Hussein, the then-president of Iraq, in the situation he had fallen into and having also failed against Iran, had the fear of being removed from power forming in him. Therefore, he proceeded to establish several strong relationships with Eastern and Western countries, especially in the field of purchasing weapons. Clearly, international cooperation and support for Iraq against Iran brought the fortune of Saddam Hussein and the Ba'ath regime to its peak, especially in the recapture of Fao. This caused the Ba'ath regime, in order to strengthen and stabilize its position in power, to turn toward Kurdistan with a planned program to pour its hatred and cruelty upon the Kurds. It began its steps to suppress the Kurds: the beginning of the implementation of the planned program was that in March 1987, Ali Hassan al-Majid, a relative who was Known as (Chemical Ali) among the Kurds, and at the same time was the head of the state intelligence agency and a member of the Ba'ath Party leadership, was appointed as his representative in the north. He was given absolute authority over all state and party institutions, meaning he was given a free hand in restoring the sovereignty of the Ba'ath authority to the entire south of Kurdistan.  

The Ba'ath regime, in order to reach all areas of southern Kurdistan that it had lost due to the war with Iran and the Kurdish revolution, and also to impose its military hegemony over them, launched a tragic campaign of genocide in eight stages under the name (Anfal) from the month of February to the end of April 1988, with the support of tanks, artillery, warplanes, and weapons of mass destruction (chemical), in the areas of Garmian, Halabja, Barzan, Soran, Amedi, Zakho, and Duhok. As a result, hundreds of thousands of civilians, including children, women, young, old, and disabled people, were martyred, wounded, and Anfalized, and then buried alive in the deserts of southern and central Iraq. Many others, out of fear of the tyranny and oppression of the Ba'ath, were displaced to the countries of Iran and Turkey. It destroyed the economic infrastructure of Kurdistan in a way that involved the leveling of villages and the demolition of houses, mosques, schools, and hospitals.

Due to the fear and terror that the Ba'ath regime had planned throughout southern Kurdistan in general and the areas under the hegemony of the Peshmerga in particular, people were looking for an outlet through which they could save themselves from the tyranny and oppression of the Ba'ath and take refuge in neighboring countries. For that purpose, a large crowd was in the process of migrating with the intention of reaching the borders. The Iraqi Army, in order to reach the borders and prevent the crowds of fleeing people, continued its military campaign. The Kurdistan Peshmerga forces, as a national and patriotic duty to protect the fleeing people, decided to confront the aggression of the Ba'ath regime in the area that was Known as the triangle of (Iraq - Iran - Turkey) in Khwakurk. 

Another goal of the Ba'ath regime in that military campaign was to take control of the main road of the First Branch in the Badinan region to the leadership and other areas, so that the border of Badinan would be completely cut off and the road for movement would no longer be available to it, so that its connection with the leadership of the revolution would be severed.                            

Iraqi participating force:

The army and forces of the Iraqi government, in their attack on the Khwakurk area, consisted of the following military units and armed forces:

  1. Division 33 belonging to the 5 Corps.

  2. Division 45 belonging to the 1 Corps.

  3. Division 18.

  4. Division 35

  5. Brigade 66 of the Special Forces

  6. Brigade 68 of the Special Forces (Qawat Khasa).

  7. Brigade 702 of Infantry (Mashat).

  8. The First Regiment of Commandos (Maghawir) of Division 33.

  9. Brigade 402 of Infantry.

  10. Brigade 120 of Commandos (Maghawir).

  11. Brigade 2 of the Internal Security Forces.

  12. Regiment 3 of the Second Commando Brigade and the First Independent Commando Regiment belonging to Division 3.

  13. Mercenary armed forces (Jash) (Afwaj Khafifa).

  14. Five field artillery battalions and a number of mortar guns.

  15.  Three tank battalions.

  16. A large number of warplanes and helicopters.

Revolution participating force:

The Peshmerga force participating in the Khwakurk epic was under the direct supervision and oversight of President Masoud Barzani, and it consisted of the following forces and organizations:

1) The Awara force, consisting of the 16 of August, 11 of September, 26 of May organizations, and the Rebaz organization.

2) The Barzan force, consisting of the Qalander, Piran, Shirin, Zozk, and Brusk organizations.

3) The Hamrin force, consisting of the Safin, Azmar, and Sagrma organizations.

4) The Khabat force, consisting of the Musaka organization and the Charchal organization.

5) The organizations affiliated with the Revolution Leadership, consisting of the Karokh, Sordash, Gofand, Goraz, and Aras organizations.

6) The special artillery unit of the revolution.

7) The Babagurgur support force, affiliated with Branch 3 of the Kurdistan Democratic Party.

8) The Zamnako support force, affiliated with Branch 4 of the Kurdistan Democratic Party.

9) The National Defense Force.

10) The forces of Branch Two, Three, and Four.

11) A detachment of the Iraqi Communist Party).

12) The Freedom Committee, whose head was Ali Shaban, but it carried out its work under the supervision and oversight of Nechirvan Barzani; their task was the provision of food and supplies for the battlefront, and their headquarters was in the Zewa camp.      

Outbreak of war and aggression:

On 17 of July 1988, the Islamic Republic of Iran agreed to a ceasefire with Iraq. Just two days later, on 19 of July 1988, the army and armed forces of the Ba'ath regime launched a wide-scale attack on the areas under the control of the revolution in the Khwakurk area of the Bradost region, while there were still a few weeks left until the end of the eight-year war between those two countries. The Kurdistan Peshmerga force, under the direct command of President Masoud Barzani, decided to protect the land of Kurdistan and the lives of those people who were heading towards the border to escape the tyranny and oppression of the Ba'ath regime, with the participation of Commanders Fazil Mirani, Hamid Afandi, Zaim Ali, Azad Qaradaghi, Dr. Roj Nuri Shaways, Dr. Jarjis Hassan, Lieutenant Yunis Rojbayani, Lieutenant Colonel Yaqub, Lieutenant Babakr Zebari, Sayid Salih, Qadir Qadir and Omar Osman, who, side by side with the Peshmerga force, were distributed across the axes, established a combat front, and with a solid military plan, repelled all the attacks of the Ba'ath regime's army, which at that time was considered the fifth-ranked army in the world in terms of power, weapons, and ammunition. 

There is no doubt that the Khwakurk epic was a continuation of the military campaigns of the Ba'ath regime in the series of Anfal phases and the chemical bombardment of Halabja and other places, in a narrow area of the border triangle, when the Iraqi government mobilized a large and countless force of air and ground forces such as Maghawir (commando), special, infantry, and mercenary (Jash) forces, supported by warplanes, artillery, and chemical weapons of mass destruction. Of course, on the part of the revolution and the Kurd people, this military campaign was strongly rejected as a confrontation by the Peshmerga force and national defense with their shoulder-carried weapons, and women and children by collecting aid and assistance in food and clothing and taking them to the battlefronts.   

The beginning of the war started behind Lolan in Khnera, after the Iraqi Army on 21 of July 1988 landed a military force by helicopter on Mount Shekiw with the intention of seizing the strategic locations of the area. However, the next day, which is 22 of July, the Peshmergas of the Hamrin force attacked that Iraqi Army force, and after a fierce battle in a short, specified time, they were able to defeat the entire force and cause them heavy losses in dead and wounded, and three soldiers were also taken prisoner. After the battle ended, the revolution's losses were only the wounding of one Peshmerga. On 24 of July, the movements of the Iraqi Army on Mount Shekiw and Sarsol were continuous and increasing; it was clear that they were preparing for a major attack.  

At 30 : 10 in the morning of 27 of July 1988, the Iraqi Army launched a major attack under the name (Tawakkaltu 'ala Allah) on the Peshmerga positions, advancing from Sarsol towards Siara, which is located on the heights of Shikhanok, without anyone noticing. In that unawareness, several vehicles fell into their ambush. As a result, a citizen and his son, who was 12 years old, were captured and taken away. When the Peshmerga found out, as a counter-reaction and retaliation, they attacked them, defeated them, and broke their attack. They dealt them a major blow; as a result, 24 soldiers were taken prisoner, four of whom were Officers. In that battle, three Peshmerga were Martyred, two of whom were Peshmerga of the Musaka organization and the other was a Peshmerga of Branch One. That Iraqi Army force in that attack was carried out by the Third Battalion of the Second Maghawir Brigade and the First Independent Maghawir Battalion of the Third Division. According to the information and reports of the Peshmerga forces regarding the losses and damages of the Iraqi Army forces in that battle, more than 100 Maghawir force soldiers were killed. 

It had been a few days since both the countries of Iraq and Iran had entered into a ceasefire, but according to an indication that appeared in the book 'Barzani and the Kurdish Liberation Movement', on 26 of July 1988, Sayid Baqir Tabatabai, the commander of the Nasr Ramadan Headquarters of the country of Iran, along with a group of Pasdaran and a group of Hezbollah fighters, visited Gali Rash in the region with the intention of moving their Headquarters into Iranian territory. They were unaware that they had been blocked by the Iraqi Army. During their passage, they fell into an ambush by Iraqi forces and all of them were captured and executed by firing squad right there. When the Peshmerga force, the next day, the 27 of the month, attacked the Iraqi force, defeated them, and expelled them from the area, they brought back the bodies of those killed and handed them over to the aforementioned headquarters, but there is no indication regarding Iran's stance regarding this violation by the Iraqi Army. On the contrary, just two days later, meaning the 29 of July, the Iraqi forces once again attempted to advance and attacked the same location again. The Peshmerga force, under the command of Zaim Ali, confronted them very fiercely, and after a fierce battle, they defeated them again. In addition to the dead and wounded, three of their soldiers were taken prisoner, one of whom was an Officer of the Maghawir forces. 

After the Iraqi Army suffered defeat in those attacks against the Peshmerga, it changed its battle plan and resorted to using chemical weapons on the heights of Nazdari Dagh in Khwakurk and the Peshmerga headquarters in Gader and other places via (Pilatus PC 7) aircraft on the morning of 3 August 1988, as a result of which 60 Peshmerga were affected, sustaining injuries, and some of them became blind due to the effect of that gas. The chemical bombardment by the Ba'ath regime not only caused damage to the Peshmerga forces but also destroyed many animals in the villages of North Kurdistan.

To organize and strengthen the displaced force in 1 August 1988, the revolution leadership decided that Colonel Yaqub should be made the person in charge of the force, because government forces were gradually increasing pressure on the Peshmerga positions, especially in the Barzan force axis. Those government attacks continued until the 7 of the month, and the Peshmerga were strengthening and defending their defensive positions. In the Mount Shekiw axis, three commando soldiers were taken prisoner as a result of an attack. In the Gali Rash axis, the Iraqi Army made some progress until it reached Darya Sor. As a result, the Iranian Pasdaran and the Hezbollah group that were in Khwakurk blew up their own ammunition and military supplies and fled. With this, the entire weight of the battle fell on the shoulders of the Peshmerga of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Iraqi Communist Party. The other parties of the Kurdistan Front kept themselves aloof in that battle and did not participate in the fighting, but rather left the area.  

On 8 August 1988, the Iraqi Army launched a large and widespread attack on the Muslok axis and the Shikhanok front. After a fierce battle, it made some progress and reached Parawa. Only one stage remained for it to reach the top of Shikhanok, but it was stopped there, otherwise it would have completely dominated Shikhan and Sipara, which would have created great danger for those families who had remained in their places because they had not yet crossed the border of Iran. On the evening of 10 August, the Iraqi Army attacked the eastern front of Milezerd, but the Peshmerga force of the Rebaz organization repelled them very strongly and broke the attack. The commander of the 3 Regiment of the 68 Brigade of the Quwat Khasa (Special Forces

) fell into the hands of the Peshmerga force wounded, but later died due to the severity of his injury. The Peshmerga were unharmed in that battle. On the evening of the same day, 10 August 1988, a commando force of about 150 soldiers landed with 10 helicopters in an area called Dole Torshen, but the Peshmerga force, which was entrusted with the task of protecting that axis, confronted them and chased them until they broke them up. The entire force was destroyed; those who were killed were killed, and the others fell into the hands of the Peshmerga force as prisoners. This was a major blow to the Iraqi Army forces, especially in terms of the collapse of their morale, but the effect on the high morale and steadfastness of the Peshmerga force was great.                         

Although the Peshmerga force was successful in repelling all those attacks by the Iraqi Army and causing them heavy losses, the revolution leadership continued to review and reorganize the battle fronts. It appointed Colonel Yaqub as the commander of the battle front, and both Sergeant Darwish and Hamid Argoshi were appointed as his assistants. While the fighting and aggression continued, the Karokh organization and the 11th of September organization, under the command of Ahmed Malaswar, were on the Hushka front and the top of Korawa. In a battle, they stood against the force of the mercenaries (Jash) and pushed them back in some places. One of their Peshmerga was a Martyr and three others were wounded. The fighting continued on all axes, and the Peshmerga force had taken up positions in front of them. On the evening of 11 August 1988, despite the presence of heavy shelling of the Peshmerga positions, the mercenary Jash force attacked again, but the Peshmerga continued to defend. They were able to defeat them again this time and left the body of one Jash on the battlefield. 

On the same day, a Peshmerga force belonging to the Gorez organization, which consisted of 15 Peshmerga, arrived at the battlefield. The next day, 12 August, a popular defense force of about 80 people arrived at the battle fronts to support the Peshmerga force and protect the land of the homeland.

On 13 August 1988, on the Korawa and Qabri Zahir front, a heavy battle took place from 4 o'clock in the morning until the evening. In many places, it became hand-to-hand combat. Although the losses of the soldiers and Jash were not known, the attacks were repelled. On 14 August, the government force attacked the Kani Rash, Kharwan, and Siro front in the Barzan force axis, but it was repelled. In the Khwakurk axis, the government tried to advance again, but the Peshmerga defeated it.

On 14 August, the Peshmerga forces of Branch Three and Four, under the command of Sayed Salih and Qadir Qadir arrived at the battle front to support the Peshmerga force. The next day, 15 of the month, another force from the Halabja District Committee arrived in Khwakurk and the battle fronts, which gave high morale to the Peshmerga force and was a great support for the battle fronts.                                

Throughout those days of August, the Iraqi forces did not hesitate in any way in their attacks and assaults on the Peshmerga positions and continued to exert great pressure on them to force them to vacate the area, but the Peshmerga force in all axes did not allow them to do so through defense and confrontation until they forced them to retreat. On the evening of 15 August 1988 at 30 :2 o'clock, the Iraqi Army artillery heavily shelled all Peshmerga positions. The intensity of the shelling was such that heavy casualties were expected. After an hour and a half, specifically at four in the evening, the shelling stopped, and the Iraqi forces, which consisted of the army and mercenary gunmen, launched a ground attack, but the Peshmerga force came at them from all sides and stood against them until they broke their attack. President Masoud Barzani, who was directly supervising the battle, says: ''I spoke with all the organizations by radio. What was very important was that the morale of the Peshmerga was very high; they did not care about the enemy's attack. In terms of losses, only a few Peshmerga were wounded. In return, the Iraqi forces had left 46 bodies on the battlefield.''

 In 16 of August 1988 the battle was gradually becoming hotter and the resistance of the Peshmerga force continued. On the 19 of the month, due to the intensity of the battle, a group of Peshmerga were martyred from Branch Three, Branch Four, and the National Defense Force. The bombardment and shelling were so intense that 10-15 shells would hit the ground at once, causing the area to become one piece of fire. On the 20 of August, a hot battle took place between the two forces. The Peshmerga force dealt a major blow to the Iraqi forces. The 702 Brigade, affiliated with the 45 Division of the 1 Corps, was destroyed in such a way that many of their officers were killed, including the battalion commander and the company commander. In the following days, due to those successive defeats of the government forces, the attacks lost their heat and momentum, and two helicopters were shot down. All of this gave strength and morale to the Peshmerga, while conversely, the morale of the Iraqi forces was decreasing. On the night of 24 to the 25 of August 1988, the Iraqi Army gathered the remnants of its forces and attacked the Korawa front. As always, the Peshmerga confronted them, and after a fierce battle, their attack was defeated and they were pushed back.

The top of Korawa is the highest peak in the Khwakurk region, which is why it was considered a strategic location from a military perspective. For this reason, the Iraqi Army put a lot of pressure on it to take control of it and establish authority over the surroundings. In addition, there was another height at the final point of the Iraq border called Mount Raqib in the west of Khwakurk, where no Peshmerga force was stationed due to the vastness of the battle front. The Iraqi Army tried to reach that height from the rear, meaning from within the territory of the country of Turkey, and turn their backs on the Peshmerga force. However, when the Peshmerga learned of this, they formed a force from the Peshmerga of the Barzan force and blocked them. They confronted them at the base of Mount Raqib and stood against them, not allowing them to advance until the battle ended and the order to retreat was given.       

The battle was becoming more difficult as time went on. On the 27 of August at Qabri Zahir, due to the intense attacks of the Iraqi forces, two Peshmerga were martyred. On the night of the 28 of August, due to shelling at the headquarters of the Charchal organization, five Peshmerga were martyred. On that same night, a force affiliated with the 66 Special Brigade (Special Forces) attacked the Peshmerga positions on the Korawa axis. After a fierce battle and strong resistance by the Peshmerga, it was defeated again and forced to retreat after suffering heavy losses, especially in the 2 Battalion affiliated with the aforementioned brigade. In that battle, two Peshmerga were martyred and the Peshmerga commander Anwar Haji Osman was wounded. Also on the Korawa axis, the government attacked again on the 30 of the month, and a hot battle took place that lasted from five in the morning until four in the afternoon, which was strongly repelled and defeated by the Peshmerga forces of Branch Four. One Peshmerga was martyred and five others were wounded. On the 4 of September 1988, the Zmnako force affiliated with Branch Four in the Chamkabi area attacked the bases and positions of the army and government forces. They imposed a hot battle on them that lasted forty-eight hours. They were able to deal a major blow to the Iraqi forces and cause them heavy losses in dead and wounded. In return, two Peshmerga were martyred.

After the government forces used all their power and strength from all axes in the attack and assault on the Peshmerga positions, they had no significant gains other than defeat and heavy human and material losses, except for advancing in some places. However, the shelling and aerial bombardment did not stop and became more intense, and for this reason, a group of Peshmerga were martyred and wounded. In addition to the shortage of ammunition in the positions, which was a major problem for the Peshmerga force, the month of September is the beginning of the cold and freezing season in the border areas, as it is mentioned in an indication that the water inside the Peshmerga's canteens would freeze. That was another obstacle and a cause of heavy burden for the Peshmerga forces against the countless, well-armed, and all-out military power of the Ba'ath. Therefore, after discussing the situation on the 5 of September 1988, the revolution leadership decided that the Peshmerga force should retreat from the positions. In light of the leadership's decision, the withdrawal of the Peshmerga from all defensive position axes began, and by the 6 of the month, all forces had withdrawn.                     

The losses of the Iraqi army and forces in the Khwakurk epic:

In that epic, the Iraqi army suffered a major human and material loss, such as the killing and wounding of approximately 1000 soldiers and Jash, of which the identities of three hundred and fifty people fell into the hands of the Peshmerga. Among the dead were several officers. However, another indication states that the human losses of the government forces consisted of 8450 soldiers and hired gunmen, which included more than 1000 military officers. Also, a large number of soldiers and officers from the Iraqi forces were taken prisoner, but by the order of the revolution leadership, they were released by the Peshmerga force. The downing and destruction of four combat helicopters and the loss of a large amount of weapons, ammunition, and military equipment. 

Regarding the release of the prisoners, according to an indication from a source, after the end of the battle and the withdrawal of the Peshmerga force from the battle fronts, President Barzani thanked the steadfastness and bravery of the Peshmerga in a speech. At the same time, he called all 32 prisoners who had been captured by the Peshmerga force and informed them that from now on you are free if you want to return to your military units. Of that number, 30 soldiers returned to the Iraqi Army, and two of them were affiliated with the Iraqi Dawa Party and did not return and requested to go outside. A group of Peshmerga, by the order of the President, monitored and guided them until they entered the government forces in an area called Khana Spi. From that location, the Peshmerga monitored the prisoner soldiers from afar until they reached the Iraqi military camp. As soon as they arrived, they immediately arrested all thirty soldiers and executed them by firing squad. 

In an indication, it is stated that in one of the battles, an officer of the Iraqi Army with the rank of First Lieutenant was captured by the Peshmerga force while wounded and was taken prisoner. They moved him to the rear of the battle fronts for treatment. On the way, he asks the Peshmerga, "What are you going to do with me?" They reply, "We are taking you to the doctor to treat your wounds." But the officer does not agree with them and tells them, "No, it is better for you to kill me than to treat my wounds. Whoever among you captures any of the army soldiers, kill him, because you are satisfied with these mountains and that life, we will not leave you alone and we will fight you, yet you still treat our wounds." Although, due to the severity of his wounds, he died after a while.       

The casualties were mostly from those regiments and brigades that we can say had been completely destroyed: 

 The military units that had suffered the most losses:

1- Division 33 .

2- Division 45 .

3- Division 35.

4- Division 18.

5- Brigade 68 of the Special Forces.

6- Brigade 66 of the Special Forces.

7- The First Independent Commando Regiment.

8- Brigade 702 of the Infantry.

9- Brigade 402 of the Infantry.

10- Brigade 120 of the Commandos.

11- Brigade 2 of the Commandos.

 

Losses of the revolution forces:

 In that epic battle, which began on 19 of July 1988 and continued until 5 of September 1988, lasting 45 days, the losses of the revolution forces consisted of the martyrdom of 38 Peshmerga and 104 wounded.

Gains of the revolution:

In that epic battle, a large amount of weapons, wireless equipment, and military supplies were seized by the Peshmerga forces and became gains of the revolution, such as: 

  • More than 600 pieces of various light and heavy weapons.

  • 18 wireless radio devices.

  • A large amount of military equipment and a lot of ammunition.

 

The outcome of the battle:

  • The battle had great importance from political, military, and strategic perspectives. Militarily, during the 45 days of fighting, the Peshmerga were able to achieve a very great victory, defeating most of the attacks of the armed army, seizing a large amount of weapons and ammunition, and inflicting heavy human and material losses on the Iraqi Army. Politically, it buried the dream of Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, which believed that with the end of the war with Iran, the resistance of the Kurdish revolution would also end and be destroyed, but the Khwakurk epic invalidated all those opinions. 

  • The persistence and resistance of the Peshmerga in the face of dozens of attacks by the Iraqi army and forces, supported by shelling and bombardment by tanks, artillery, and warplanes, and the use of internationally banned chemical weapons for 45 days, resulted in a historical epic.  

  • The Khwakurk epic was proof of the fact that the end of the (Iraq-Iran) war would not have an effect on stalling the Kurdish revolution; rather, the Peshmerga force would continue to record epics and Peshmerga activities. 

  • After the end of the Khwakurk epic, President Masoud Barzani delivered a historical speech to the Peshmerga forces, in which he said: It will not take long for changes to occur in Iraq, and he called on the Peshmerga force to prepare for the changes in the region. It was then that in August 1990 Iraq attacked Kuwait and occupied it within 24 hours, then the situation led to the imposition of United Nations Resolution 687 upon it and the outbreak of the Gulf War, then in the spring of 1991 the uprising of Southern Kurdistan occurred and the institutions, army, and armed forces of the Ba'ath were expelled. 

  • The echo of the Khwakurk battle in international media regarding the aggression of the Iraqi army to suppress the Kurds, especially after they finished the eight-year war with Iran, moved towards Kurdistan in the most severe manner in the use of chemical weapons and poisonous gas, as well as the struggle of the Kurdish revolution against the behavior of the Ba'ath regime, such as London Radio, the Associated Press agency, the Resalat newspaper printed in Tehran, and Voice of America radio.




 

  Sources: 

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