Ezmer is a famous mountain in Kurdistan and is located in the northeast of the city of Sulaymaniyah. Because of its height, it dominates its surroundings; therefore, it is considered a geographically important place from a military perspective. High mountains were places of resistance and defense for the Peshmerga Forces. The Iraqi Army decided to take the high mountains to gain control over the entire region. Even though the Iraqi Army had authority within the city of Sulaymaniyah, when the Peshmerga forces were dominant on the heights of Mount Ezmer, it was not easy for the Iraqi Army forces to carry out their movements and military duties. Therefore, they began preparations for a military attack to take the mountain.

At 5:30 on June 19, 1974, the Iraqi Army announced an attack on the Peshmerga positions on Mount Ezmer. For this attack and the occupation of Mount Ezmer, the 4th Force of the 2nd Division of Kirkuk, the Special Forces, the Tank Battalion of the 8th Force, the Air Force, the Artillery of the 2nd Division, and the militias affiliated with it participated. The Peshmerga Forces that were on alert were the 4th Battalion of the Pênciwên Force of the Xebat Force under the command of Nûrî Heme Elî.

This time, the government used all its military capabilities in terms of force, weapons, ammunition, tanks, long-range cannons, armored vehicles, and air forces for the attack on the areas of the revolution in order to succeed against the Kurdish revolution. In the attack on Mount Ezmer, the Iraqi Army initially started by shelling the mountain with cannons and warplanes as a military ruse, but the Peshmerga forces had anticipated this; therefore, they had positioned their defenses well so that they would not suffer losses during the shelling. Even though some were wounded as a result of the shelling, the Peshmerga were on alert to protect the defensive line.

While the air forces of the Iraqi Army were bombing the Peshmerga positions on the mountains, the Peshmerga's air defense shot down a helicopter with machine guns (DShK), which had a significant impact on their morale. After the shelling stopped, the Iraqi Army began a broad attack on those places where there was a path for the tank battalion to enter in front of the infantry and militias (Jash). Even though their movement was not fast due to the presence of anti-tank mines, the infantry and militias began to advance in other areas until they were close to the Peshmerga positions. A fierce battle broke out between them. Throughout the day, the Peshmerga forces were able to resist in the strongest way possible. The attack was broken by the Peshmerga Forces, the bodies of many soldiers and militias were left on the battlefield, and during the retreat, they carried the bodies of the dead with tanks.

The Iraqi Army could not achieve its goal that day. The next day, June 19, 1974, they began a large attack again. Like the previous day, it was even more severe in terms of shelling and air attacks. Then, they attacked the Peshmerga positions with heavy forces and with the support of tank and armored battalions. After a fierce and bloody battle, the Iraqi Army suffered many human and material losses; many tanks and armored vehicles were destroyed. Because of this, they could not advance in the way that the army commanders would be happy with. However, the Iraqi Army's persistence in taking Mount Ezmer led to the punishment of some army officers, to instill fear in the hearts of others so that they would succeed against the Peshmerga. After a lot of great pressure and continuous attacks and an uncountable number of soldiers, heavy weapons, tanks, cannons, armored vehicles, and air forces, despite suffering heavy blows from the army and militias, the Peshmerga Forces were also not spared from human losses in terms of martyrs and wounded, and the army was able to take Mount Ezmer.

Source:
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