Azmar is a famous high mountain in Kurdistan, located northeast of the city of Sulaymaniyah. Due to its elevation, it overlooks the surrounding area, so it is considered an important geographical location from a military perspective. The high mountains were places of resistance and defense for the Peshmerga Forces, and the Iraqi Army decided to seize the heights to control the entire area. Although the Iraqi Army had extended its influence over the heart of the city of Sulaymaniyah, when the Peshmerga Forces controlled the heights of Mount Azmar, the Iraqi Army forces found it difficult to carry out their military duties, so they began preparations for a military attack to seize the mountain.

At 5:30 on the morning of June 19, 1974, the Iraqi Army launched an attack on the Peshmerga positions on Mount Azmar. Participating in this attack, and in order to seize the mountain, were the Fourth Force of the Second Kirkuk Division, the Special Forces, the Tank Battalion of the Eighth Force, and the Air Force. The artillery of the Second Division and mercenary gunmen also participated, and the Peshmerga Forces, which were on high alert, included the Fourth Battalion of the Penjwen Force of the Khabat Forces led by Nuri Hama Ali.

The government used all its military capabilities in its attacks on the revolution areas, including tanks, long-range artillery, armored vehicles, and air power to overcome the Kurdish revolution. The Iraqi Army initially began shelling the mountain with artillery and warplanes as a military ruse, but the Peshmerga Forces anticipated this and secured their positions well so as not to be damaged during the shelling. Although a number of Peshmerga were wounded as a result of the shelling, the Peshmerga Forces were prepared to protect the defense line.

When the Iraqi Army Air Force bombed the Peshmerga positions on the mountain, the Peshmerga air defense administration shot down a helicopter with a Dushka weapon, which had an important effect on raising their morale. After the artillery shelling stopped, the Iraqi Army launched a wide-scale attack through the places that were easy to pass through, especially with the advance of tanks in front of the infantry and mercenary gunmen. Although their movements were not fast due to the presence of anti-tank mines, the infantry and mercenaries began to advance in other places until they approached the Peshmerga positions. A fierce battle broke out between them, and the Peshmerga Forces repelled the attack. Throughout that day, the Peshmerga Forces were able to repel the attack with the strongest means, and the bodies of many soldiers and hired mercenaries remained on the battlefield, and the army transported the bodies of its dead on the backs of tanks after withdrawing from the battlefield.

The Iraqi Army failed to hit its target that day, and the next day, June 19, 1974, it resumed its large-scale attack, like the previous day, which was more intense in terms of shelling and airstrikes. Then they attacked the Peshmerga positions with great force and with the support of tank and armored battalions. After a fierce and bloody battle, the Iraqi Army suffered many casualties and many tanks and armored vehicles were destroyed, so the army could not advance. However, the Iraqi Army's insistence on seizing Mount Azmar led to the punishment of some army officers and instilled fear in the hearts of others in order to defeat the Peshmerga. After great pressure, continuous attacks, and countless numbers of soldiers, heavy weapons, tanks, artillery, armored vehicles, and air power, despite the heavy losses of the army and mercenaries, the army was able to control Mount Azmar, and the Peshmerga Forces were not spared from martyrs and wounded.

Sources:

1- Sangar Ibrahim Khoshnaw, Military Events of the September Revolution 1970-1975, First Edition, (Danishfar Printing House - Erbil - 2022).

2- Lieutenant Khadr Abdullah Dabbagh, My Memoirs and the Artillery of the Great September Revolution, Enlightenment Printing House, (Third Edition - Erbil - 2020).

3- Karwan Jawhar Muhammad, Idris Barzani 1944-1987, His Life and Political and Military Role in the Kurdish Liberation Movement, (Hevi Printing House - Erbil - 2019).

 4- Ibrahim Jalal, Southern Kurdistan and the September Revolution: Foundation and Collapse, Fourth Edition, 2021.