The beginning of the establishment of the Balek Force dates back to 1962 when it was organized within a battalion, in 1963, the organizations of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) were organized into two main political and military sections, the political section was the party organization, but they often participated in defense battlefields and military campaigns, later, the Peshmerga section was expanded and organized into forces, battalions and branches, in the Year 1965, the Balek Battalion developed significantly and became a large organized force consisting of four battalions, its task was defense and military operations in the strategic locations of Balekayeti and Rawandiz and that region, later due to the increase of Peshmerga forces and the expansion of the border in 1975 it was further developed and 3 other forces were established.

The Balek Force was also one of the forces that covered a wide geographical area in Balekayeti, Bradost, Rawandiz, Gali Ruste, Balekiyan, Khanaqa and Ako, initially the command of the Peshmerga force was under the responsibility of Mela Taha, Mina Agha and Qadir Agha, later Colonel Aziz Akreyi, Colonel Kafi Nebewi, Abdullah Ismail and Mela Mator supervised the force.

In 1964, the revolution leadership established a battalion of Peshmerga forces in Gelala under the supervision of Abdullah Agha Pishderi and Xezali Mirxan Barzani, who was later succeeded by Sadiq Efendi, Franso Hariri was the administrative and intelligence officer, Faris Shukri was the political leader of the Peshmerga, Dawud Abdullah was the director of the pen office and Arif Kardo was the battalion's supply officer, Mohammed Amin Kiret was the battalion center commander, Abdulrahman Ismail Aqrawi was the engineering department officer, Taha Mohammed Sharif was the battalion radio officer and Mohammed Kolekeyi was the center guard officer.

The battalion consisted of 8 branches and the branch commanders were:

1- Haji Beroxi

2- Hasan Xal Hamza

3- Arif Yasin

4- Hade Hesko

5- Mustafa Salih Nerweyi

6- Mela Amin Barzani

7- Ezzat Suleiman Beg

8. Rais Kemal was an Arab branch commander of the Communists.

The Balek Peshmerga force from battalion to force

In July of the Year 1965, the leader of the revolution Mustafa Barzani decided to expand the 5th Balek battalion and reorganize it in the form of a force, which had four battalions and later more, all forces throughout Kurdistan had to come directly under the control of Barzani, Abdullah Agha Pishderi was the commander of that force and Sadiq Efendi and Abdulrazaq Betushi were his deputies, Franso Hariri was the force protection officer, Hasan Nas was the administration officer, Hakim Sadiq Xoshnaw was the financial officer and Taha Mohammed Sharif Akreyi, Nuri Haydar, Mawlud Ibrahim and Abdullah Mellazade were each for a time the officer of the force's intelligence agency, Dawud Abdullah was the pen officer of that force and Hamedamin Kiret and Hamid Ahmed Qelasnci were each for a time the center commanders of that force.

Balek Force battalions in the years (1965-1970)

  1. First battalion

Haji Beroxi was the battalion commander and Naji Beg and Arif Yasin were each for a time his deputies, Hamid Said was the financial and pen officer of the battalion, the following were its branch commanders:

1- Zikri Yehya

2- Musa Shemed

3- Jadir Mohammed Mizuri

4- Abdulrahman Derwesh Akreyi

5- Yasin Beroxi

6- Shiwan Diri

7- Jawhar Bersyavi

8- Ali Shikak

The platoon leaders were Aziz Xan, Desko Haji Beroxi, Husein Suri, Said Ibrahim, Sheikh Homer, Mamend Agha Delze, Sebah Mirke Xeylani, Abdulrahman Derwesh Akreyi and Kemal Shawqel.

  1. Second battalion

Mustafa Nerweyi was the battalion commander, Mohsin Haji Nerweyi was his deputy, Husein Fetah was the battalion administration officer and the following were its branch commanders:

1- Hamid Efendi

2- Mirxan Hamedamin Mirxan

3- Chawshin Xano

4- Hade Hesko

5- Osman Salih Nerweyi

  1. Third battalion

Mela Amin Barzani was the battalion commander and Omer Seyid Nebi was his deputy, Haji Mohammed was the administration officer and these were its branch commanders:

1- Seyid Selim Seyid Nebi

2- Hemeziyad Feqyani

3- Osman Hojrani

4- Mirkey Xeylani

  5- Zuber Ali

6- Suleiman Abdullah

7- Shakir Bege Gerdi

4. Fourth battalion

Izzet Suleiman Beg was the battalion commander and Mohammed Amin Feqe Hasan was his deputy and these were its branch commanders:

1- Seyid Mustafa

2- Majid Beg

3- Seyid Ebullah

4- Mam Ilyas Rawandizi

5. Rais Kemal was the branch commander of the Communists

Balek Force in the second phase (1970-1975)

After the March 11, 1970 agreement, according to the government's decision, the Border Protection Battalion was established within the Balek forces, which consisted of 500 Peshmerga, Abdullah Agha Pishderi was the battalion commander, Haji Beroxi was his deputy, Hamid Efendi was his assistant, Dawud Abdullah was his assistant's deputy, Mela Omer Mela Osman was the battalion imam, the platoon commanders were:

1- Mustafa Salih Nerweyi

2- Izzet Suleiman Beg

3- Mela Amin Barzani

4- Arif Yasin Doski

5- Mohammed Amin Mirkhani Mergasori

These were also the commanders of the Siris, which consisted of 18 Siris:

Asad Ali known as Fathi, Hassan Khidir Rasho, Sayyid Salim Nabi, Osman Salih Nerweyi, Mohsin Haji Salih, Chawshin Khano, Wesman Abdullah Hojrani, Zubair Ali, Becan Jundi, Sayyid Abdullah Nabi, Aliko Nabi, Aziz Khan Mohammed, Hali Mohammed Dolemeri, Cadir Mohammed Mizuri, Musa Shemed, Shiwan Diri, Chawshin Obeyd Mohammed and Ramazan Mohammed Faqi.

In this battalion, there were also 9 mufewiz (lieutenants), 6 rais urafa (sergeants) of the Siri, 29 erif (corporals), 74 deputy erif, and 124 first-line guards. Those who did not take part in this battalion, anyone who was previously a government employee returned to their former job, others were re-registered at the center of forces and battalions, they were provided with aid every month and gathered when necessary, Nasir Hassan supervised them as the commander of the force.

Balek Force in the third phase during the years (1974-1975)

After the start of the war in 1974, the Border Guard Battalion was dissolved and the Balek force was re-established on a larger scale, Abdullah Agha Pishderi was appointed as the commander of that force, each of the following was appointed as deputy commander of the force for a period: Lieutenant Yunis Rojbayani, Captain Adil Akreyi, Captain Wirya Ma'ruf and Captain Azad Miran. The center of the force consisted of several main departments such as administration, finance, artillery, engineering, anti-aircraft, intelligence, security, national defense, civil defense, health, court, supply and warehouses.

  1. Administration Department

Hassan Nasir was the head and Hamid Ahmed was the central sergeant.

  1. Finance Department

Judge Sadiq Khoshnaw was the head and Idris Hadi was his assistant.

  1. Artillery Department

It was an active department for supporting the Peshmerga. The types of artillery were 60 mm, 81 mm, 82 mm, 120 mm, 25 rigid guns and 122 mm and 155 mm field guns. Although those guns were old and not very good and ammunition was scarce, the Peshmerga artillerymen were very skilled when they were used on the battlefronts, they were very effective in weakening the enemy and caused great damage, the Peshmerga who were in the artillery are: Hali Dolemeri, Omer Osman, Erif Shekhe, Mohammed Amin Rashashchi, Abdulrehman Besheyi, Dilawer Fayeq, Lieutenant Khidir Elwan, Lieutenant Anwar Meri, Lieutenant Khidir Dabbagh, Firyad Qadir, Asad Ali, Erif Jabar, Erif Asad Karwanchi, Erif Sadiq Qadir, Jalal Suleiman Ashgeyi, Mohammed Mahmoud Herki, Deputy Officer Jamal, Mam Tofiq Dergeleyi, Mustafa Dolameri, Omer Agha Dolameri and Ali Miste Barzani. According to the agreement between the revolution leadership and Iran, Hali Dolameri, Ali Miste Barzani, Mustafa Dolameri and Omer Agha Dolameri received training in using Iranian 120 mm mortars.

  1. Engineering Department

It was an important part of the Peshmerga forces during the revolution, the Peshmerga of this department had the task of laying and removing mines when necessary, they also neutralized bombs and napalm that did not explode during the Iraqi army's bombardment and used gunpowder to make mines.

The Peshmerga of the engineering department were Lieutenant Yusuf Pitros, Abdulrehman Ismail Akreyi, Rais Urafa Salih, Tariq Abu Lehya, Haji Ibrahim Kori and Mohammed Amin Rashid Kori.

  1. Anti-aircraft Department

This was also a very important part of the Peshmerga forces to reduce the threat of air forces to the revolutionary areas, the weapons of the anti-aircraft force were 12.5mm, 14.5mm and 32mm machine guns, because the weapons were old, they were not very effective for the advanced aircraft of that time, but the Peshmerga who were experts in using those weapons were able to shoot down several Iraqi army aircraft such as Ilyushin, MiG 19, Bacer and MiG 21.

  1. Intelligence Department

This department was established at the beginning of the formation of the Balek force, which played a very important role in delivering the messages of the revolution leadership to the battlefronts and vice versa, initially it was managed by Taha Mohammed Sharif, Hishyar and Mawlud Ibrahim, in the year (1970-1974) it was given a lot of importance, Abdullah Melazade was the general head, their equipment consisted of five main radio sets, several Russian 104 and 105 sets, and an aircraft listening radio set and 80 walkie-talkies and they were distributed on the front lines of the Peshmerga defense positions.

All Peshmerga of the intelligence force were present at the battlefronts when necessary and delivered the leadership's orders directly to the battlefronts, they also delivered the news of the Peshmerga front activities to the leadership and the Voice of Kurdistan radio station, the news was broadcast throughout Kurdistan by the station, in addition to reporting news, the radio sets of that force monitored the movement of the Iraqi army's artillery, tanks, aircraft and infantry forces through the listening device, they knew where the army wanted to attack or bomb, they immediately informed their superiors and the leadership created the necessary plans for confrontation and defense or withdrawal from those areas, whenever the radio sets were strong, they dealt a great blow to the Iraqi army.

  1. Security

This department was managed by Abdulrehman Abu Awf and Abdulrehman Gardi was his assistant, Lieutenant Hejar Kerkuki was the head of the security of Akoyan Valley for a time, later Osman Khoshnaw was appointed in his place, they were tasked with collecting information about government forces.

  1. National Defense

This force was established in 1969 for two reasons, one of them was being aware of the rear of the battlefield so that the government would not land its forces with helicopters to take the heights behind the Peshmerga positions, the second is to help the battlefields when necessary, for this purpose, people from the villagers of the Balek border were registered under the name of the National Defense Force under the name of the (Karox) force and weapons were distributed to them, for a time Sheikh Mohammed Harsin was the commander of that force and Hassan Nasir was his deputy, after him, Abdullah Agha supervised it and Hassan Nasir assisted him.

  1. Civil Defense

Iraqi army soldiers who were killed on the battlefield and whose bodies remained on the battlefield, the civil defense returned and buried them according to Islamic laws, they also provided help and guidance to the residents of the region during air raids and laid the bodies of the martyrs to rest, Jawhar Hirani supervised the work and Mela Ibrahim Rezani was his assistant.

  1. Health

This institution provided many services to the Peshmerga; the Balek force had a special hospital that was managed by the dressers Ehmad and Maxdid Fetah. In the year 1974, the hospital was developed and Dr. Xesrew Cemil Dizeyi and Dr. Kurdo each supervised it for a period, and the dressers also assisted them.

  1. court

The court was one of the institutions of the revolution. In the Balek force, there was a court institution headed by Judge Hesen Pishderi. In the year 1974, Judge Seid Yaqubi, Judge Tofiq, and Judge Huseyn Xoshnaw were his assistants. Teacher Mela Qadir Siktanî was the judge of Gelale and Mela Wais was the judge of Dola Ruste, who, with the help of experts in Kurdish customs and traditions, cooperated with the rulers according to Sharia. They resolved problems and made appropriate decisions regarding education, land, and family matters so that reconciliation could be achieved between the conflicting parties.

  1. Depots and ammunition warehouses (umbar)

Captain Wirya Ma'ruf was responsible for this section, and Lieutenant Cemal, Lieutenant Fuad, and Baqi Ma'ruf assisted him in providing military supplies.

Battalions of the Balek Force in the years (1974-1975)

  1. First battalion

The composition of the battalion was as follows: Heci Beroxi was the battalion commander and Hemid Seid Gurgo was the head of administration, and its company commanders were:

Musa Shemed, Zikri Yehya, Eli Shikak, Cadir Mihemed Mizuri, Sebah Mirke Xeylani, Mamend Mistefa Delzeyî, Yasin Beroxi, Cewher Bersiyavi, and Seid Ibrahim Keletoki.

  1. Second battalion

The battalion commander was Mistefa Nerweyi and Osman Salih Nerweyi was his deputy, and its company commanders were:

Ebdulwahid Nerweyi, Chawshin Xano, Huseyn Fetah Nerweyi, Muhsin Haci Nerweyi, and Ebdullah Mela Xidir.

3. Third battalion

Mela Emin Barzani was the battalion commander and Haci Mihemed was his deputy, and its company commanders were:

Wesman Hojrani, Seyid Selim, Hemeziyad Feqiyani, Salih Akoyi, Zuber Eli, and Suleyman Ebdullah Charboti.

4. Fourth battalion

The battalion commander was Izzet Suleyman Beg and Mihemed Emin Feqe Hesen was his deputy, and its company commanders were:

Seyid Mistefa, Mecid Beg, and Mihemed Ma'ruf.

5. Fifth battalion

Erîf Yasin was the battalion commander and Ramazan Mihemed Doski was his deputy, and its company commanders were:

Shiwan Diri, Eziz Xan Muhacir, and Hemid Bir Doski.

6. Sixth battalion

Seyid Asi, Becan Cundi, and Hemid Efendi were each battalion commanders for a period, and its company commanders were:

Huseyn Hemedol Baleki, Wasta Ismail, Eli Sor, Ismail Haci Qadir, and Ferzende Efendi.

7. Seventh battalion

The battalion commander was Eliko Nebi and Seyid Ebdullah Nebi was his deputy, and its company commanders were:

Mela Shex Mihemed, Hadi Suleyman Nebi, and Erîf Ibrahim Ebdullah.

Balekayeti in the year 1975

In 1975, the Balek forces expanded further; its border became a front led by Idris Barzani. Ebdullah Axa Pishderi, the commander of that force at that time, was a member of the general military bureau along with Firanso Heriri, and both were helpful in managing the front. The Balek Force had been divided into several forces whose geographical borders were determined as follows:

  1. Balek Force

The borders of its duties were within Geliye Beshe, Hesen Beg Mountain, Ashe Xidir Axa, Ser Berde, Musaka River up to the main road of Cundiyan-Gelale. Eli Xelil was the commander of that force and Lieutenant Yunis Rojbeyani was his deputy; it contained four battalions:

1. Battalion 1 - Heci Beroxi

2. Battalion 2 - Mistefa Nerweyi

3. Battalion 5 - Erîf Yasin

4. Battalion 6 - Hemid Efendi

2- Hendrin Force

The border of this force was from the main road of Cundiyan-Gelale to Geliye Akoyan and Korak. Initially, Suleyman Haci Bedri was appointed as the commander of that force, later Izzet Suleyman Beg became the commander of that force; his battalions were:

1. Battalion 3. Akoyan

2. Battalion 4. Hendrin - Battalion 7. Eliko

3- Serchiya Force

The commander of that force was Mirxan Hemedemin Mirxan, Salih Mihemed Kekshar was his deputy, and Ehmed Salih Bekir was the head of administration; the force consisted of four battalions:

1. The first battalion was under the command of Ehmed Hesen Suleyman.

2. The second battalion was also under the command of Mehdi Hesen Doski.

3. The third battalion was commanded by Shabaz Ehmed Shabaz.

4. The fourth battalion was also under the command of Ibrahim Kuremarki.

4- Zoziki Force

The Zozki Force consisted of Kurdish soldiers who had left the Iraqi army in the years 1973-1974 and joined the Kurdistan Revolutionary Army. The force consisted of three battalions:

1. The first battalion was under the command of Captain Hesen Barzani.

2. The second battalion was also under the command of Lieutenant Yunis Rojbeyan.

 

3. The third battalion was under the command of Captain Adil Akreyi.

Source:

  1. Ismail Gundejori: September Revolution in Balekayeti, Rojhelat Printing House, Edition 1, 2018.

  2. Xazi Adil Gerdi: A Peshmerga in the service of the Barzani path Heci Beroxi, volume 1, second edition, Turkey, 2021.

  3. Abdullah Rehman Melazade, The structure of the military composition of the Great September Revolution, second edition, Duhok, 2012.

  4. Hawkar Kerim Heme Sherif: September Revolution 1961-1970, 1st Edition, Salahaddin University Press, Erbil, 2012.

  5. Senger Ibrahim Khoshnaw: Military Events of the September Revolution 1970-1975, 1st Edition, Erbil, 2022.

  6. Omer Osman: Life of a Kurd, Mukriyani Press, 2nd edition, volumes 1 and 2, 2008.

  7. Lieutenant Khidir Abdullah Dabbagh: My memories and the artillery of the great September revolution, third edition, Roshnbiri press, Erbil, 2020.