PUK Peshmerga in the Bahdinan Area 1976-1978

A Historical Study

Abstract

The Bahdinan area, from 1976 to 1978, was considered a strategic region and became the backbone of the Kurdish revolution. At that time, whoever controlled the Bahdinan area was seen as the strongest party. During the Aylol Revolution (1961–1975), the Iraq-Iran border was significant because most of the aid received for the revolution came from Iran. However, during the Gulan Revolution, the strategic focus shifted to the Iraq-Turkey-Syria border. Turkey adopted a policy of indifference, and much of the aid, particularly for the PUK, came from Syria. The border in the Bahdinan area, which extended across this region, became a point of contention between the PUK and PDK parties, as both wanted to gain control over it.

Because of this, the PUK attempted multiple times to send their Peshmerga forces to Bahdinan, but the PDK opposed them. One notable instance occurred in June 1976 at the Ibrahim Azo Gargary checkpoint, and after that, a major offensive in June 1978, both were hindered by the PDK.

In this research, the following questions are addressed: To what extent did the PUK establish their organization in Bahdinan? What were the reasons for the PUK Peshmerga’s arrival in Bahdinan? After their checkpoints were established in Bahdinan, what impact did this have on the relationship between the PUK and PDK? What were the outcomes of sending their checkpoints?