The Iraqi government, which declared war on Kurdistan in 1974, launched attacks on the revolutionary regions in a way that utilized all of its military capabilities, using a large army of hundreds of thousands of soldiers, hundreds of new tanks, all types of aerial weapons, and air forces to end the revolution once and for all.

Of course, in every revolution and uprising, the high mountains were the place of resistance and defense of the revolution, the Peshmerga always relied on them, and the Iraqi army also wanted to take the heights first, break the Peshmerga defense lines located in mountains such as Kweresh, Makok and Karox, so that the low plains would come under military influence. The Iraqi regime had planned to increase its attacks on the revolutionary areas in August and September in order to seize strategic positions before winter.

Although the Iraqi army suffered heavy losses due to its attacks on the Peshmerga positions, it continued its attacks with the support of large air forces, Soviet military experts, and mercenaries (Cash). When the army was able to advance on Mount Kevresh and take control of the right bank, the 1st Infantry Division and the 12th Armored Division, supported by the 3rd Tank Battalion, began their advance towards the Sengeser valley, which is located at the beginning of Mount Asos on the right and the beginning of Mount Kevresh on the left, through which the Ranya-Qaladze road passes.

Against the large Iraqi army force that was moving to occupy the city of Qaladiz, a battalion from the Kawa force and the Asos battalion took up positions in the Sengeser valley, which was the only place where they were able to prevent the army from reaching Qaladiz. This was by planting anti-tank and anti-personnel mines, destroying the roads, and placing large stones on the roads. The Iraqi army did not abandon its attack plan. The Peshmerga were on the defensive when they fought each other and the fighting and clashes continued for about 10 days. Although the Iraqi army suffered heavy blows, it was determined to reach Qaladiz. There were also martyrs and wounded among the Peshmerga forces. As a result, the Iraqi army was able to enter and capture the city of Qaladiz on August 19, 1974.

It is clear that the Peshmerga did not stop with the occupation of Qaladiz by the Iraqi army, but continued their military activities. On September 3, they attacked an Iraqi army base in Tuwa Soran, which is on the Ranya-Qaladiz road. The attack began with shelling the military base, then attacked the military base and inflicted heavy losses on the soldiers. They almost started to take the base, but due to the martyrdom of the Peshmerga commander, Izzeddin Qara Muhammad, they stopped taking the military base and the Peshmerga forces retreated.

Source:

1. Masoud Barzani, Barzani and the Kurdish Liberation Movement, Volume III, Part II, September Revolution 1961-1975, First Edition – Erbil, 2004.
2. Senger Ibrahim Khosnaw, Military Events of September Revolution 1970-1975, 1st Edition, Hewlêr, 2022.
3. Karwan Jewhar Mihemed, Idris Barzani 1944-1987 Life and Political and Military Role in the Kurdish Liberation Movement, Hêvi Press, Hewlêr, 2019.
4. Mulazim Xidir Abdullah Debax, My Memories and the Artillery of the Great September Revolution, Rewşenbırı Publishing House, 3rd edition, Hewlêr – 2020.
5. Ibrahim Celal, Southern Kurdistan and September Revolution, Construction and Destruction, 1961-1975, Fourth Edition, 2021.