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.

 

 


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