In 1988, the Iraqi government began a broad offensive against areas of Kurdistan under Peshmerga control. Because of the Iraq–Iran war from 1980 to 1988, it lacked the strength to control all Kurdistan, allowing Peshmerga forces to dominate several areas ([1]). In the eighth year, as the war approached its end and an agreement became near, Iraq took reckless action against the Kurdish revolution to suppress and eliminate it.
Clearly, the plan meant massacring and destroying the areas. On February 26, 1988, at seven in the morning, the Iraqi army advanced from Betwata and Khalifan and launched a broad attack on Balisan Valley ([2]) west of Sulaymaniyah in Erbil Governorate ([3]). With warplanes, artillery, tanks, and hired armed men (Jash), the Peshmerga resisted with a strong plan. Their fierce defense brought news that evening that the Iraqi forces had been defeated and their attack broken, but three Peshmerga were martyred ([4]).
Sources:- Haji Mir Khan Dolamari: In Search of Justice, volume two, second edition, Kurdistan – 2021.
- Masoud Barzani: Barzani and the Kurdish Liberation Movement, volume four, 1975-1990, Gulan Revolution, part two, first edition, Ruksana Printing House, 2021.
- https://ckb.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%86
[1] - Haji Mir Khan Dolamari: In Search of Justice, volume two, second edition, Kurdistan – 2021, p. 245.
[2] -- Masoud Barzani: Barzani and the Kurdish Liberation Movement, volume four, 1975-1990, Gulan Revolution, part two, first edition, Ruksana Printing House, 2021, p. 83.
[3] - https://ckb.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%86
[4] - Masoud Barzani: same source, p. 83.