The Battle of Kani Saif

On October 20, 1980, a significant battle occurred on the road between Sayed Sadiq and Penjwen. A confrontation between a Peshmerga force and the Iraqi army led to intense fighting, resulting in a notable victory for the Peshmerga and heavy casualties for the Iraqi army.


The year 1975 marked a dark period in Kurdistan's history,

as both the revolution and the hope for liberation were completely shattered.

Defeat pervaded the battlefields and the hearts of all Kurds, leaving no room

for hope. Countless Peshmergas, loyal to the revolution, were displaced and

wandered, causing immense suffering. However, in mid-1976, the revolutionary

leadership reorganized itself and initiated another armed revolution against

their opponents and those who had succumbed to the international plan, known as

the Eylul Revolution. This rekindled hope among the revolutionaries, leading to

increased Peshmerga activities throughout South Kurdistan. The Gullan

Revolution, encompassing numerous battles and stories, witnessed the Peshmerga

dealing significant blows to various positions, military bases, and

institutions. One of the most remarkable and historic stories in the

Peshmerga's records is the account of the Kani Saif and Chomerasi battle on

Qocha Mountain, which took place on the road between Sayed Sadiq and Penjwen on

October 20, 1980. In this battle, a Peshmerga force armed with light weapons

confronted a heavily armed Iraqi army force. Despite the additional support

provided by the Iraqi government through helicopter landings, the Peshmerga

remained undeterred and fought relentlessly until they successfully repelled

the enemy. Consequently, a significant number of Iraqi soldiers were killed,

and many others sustained injuries. The outcome led to the death of numerous

Iraqi soldiers and left many others injured. Among those captured by the

Peshmerga was Ahmad Ismail Aqeeli, an aviation lieutenant. However, what is

truly disheartening and casts a shadow of shame on the honorable struggle and

sacrifices made for a sacred cause is the inappropriate and fragmented behavior

witnessed in the aftermath of the war and Peshmerga's victorious achievement

over the Iraqi army. Unexpectedly, a group affiliated with the Kurdistan

National Union (KNU) emerged in the vicinity of Kani Mangawa and launched a

surprise attack on the Peshmerga forces from behind. Following a fierce and

bloody confrontation, two brave Peshmergas, Mohammed Wardawala, and Azad Sheikh Qadir, tragically lost their lives.

 

Source:

  1. جه‌مال فه‌تحوڵله‌ ته‌یب: بزوتنه‌وه‌ی ڕزگاریخوازی كورد له‌ باشوری كوردستان ١٩٧٦-١٩٨٠، چاپی یه‌كه‌م، چاپخانه‌ی شه‌هاب، هه‌ولێر-٢٠١٢. 

  2. غازی عادل گه‌ردی: پێشمه‌رگه‌یه‌ك له‌ خزمه‌ت بارزانیدا، به‌رگی دووه‌م، چاپی دووه‌م، توركیا- ٢٠٢١.

  3. مه‌سعود بارزانی: بارزانی و بزوتنه‌وه‌ی ڕزگاریخوازی كورد، به‌رگی چواره‌م، ١٩٧٥-١٩٩٠ شۆڕشی گوڵان، به‌شی دووه‌م، چاپی یه‌كه‌م، چاپخانه‌ی ڕوكسانا، ٢٠٢١.

 

 


Related Articles

The Battle of Sufian

After the collapse of the republic, Barzani's forces began a new phase of fighting with Iranian army forces and pro-government tribes as they retreated to Iraqi territory.

More Info

The Battle of Singan

One of the battles that followed the defeat of the Kurdistan Republic and the retreat of the Barzanis to the border points between Iran and Iraq was the Battle of Singan.

More Info

Battle of Alana Valley 1969

The Battle of Alana Valley was a significant confrontation during the September Revolution that occurred on July 13, 1969, on the slopes of Mount Korek, located east of Khalifan. The Iraqi army launched a determined offensive with the objective of occupying the village of Alana in the valley. However, the Betwata battalion of the Peshmerga forces mounted a strong and resolute defense, engaging the advancing Iraqi troops in fierce combat. The Peshmerga successfully repelled the attack, inflicting

More Info

Battle of Surdash and several areas of Sulaimani

When the Ba'athists took power in Iraq for the second time, one of their sinister plans was to end the Kurdish revolution. To implement their agenda, in 1969, they launched a large-scale campaign of attacks on the areas of the Eylul (September) Revolution with the assistance and support of the old group of the Political Bureau. However, the revolutionary leadership resisted them with a solid plan and self-organization and thwarted all their military plans.

More Info

Battle of Mle Sarije 1963

The battle took place on August 4, 1963 between Barzan and Ble and its surroundings. The Iraqi government attacked Barzan and its surrounding villages to capture and destroy them and disrupt the Kurdish revolution in the region, but the Peshmerga forces under the direct leadership of Barzani They strongly opposed them and prevented their plan from succeeding, after several attacks to the offense force it ended with negotiations and peace.

More Info