9 March: 35th Anniversary of Uprising in Kalar, Darbandikhan, Shaqlawa and Koya

PUKMEDIA

Kosrat Rasul.

Today, 9 March, marks the 35th anniversary of the uprising in the districts of Kalar, Darbandikhan, Shaqlawa, Koya and their surrounding areas against the defunct Ba’athist regime.

On 9 March 1991, the people of Kalar, Darbandikhan and nearby areas, led by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), rose up against the Iraqi Ba’athist regime alongside most cities and towns across the Kurdistan Region. The uprising resulted in the liberation of Kalar, Darbandikhan and the sub-districts of Rizgari and Bawanur.

On the same day, the districts of Shaqlawa and Koya and their surrounding areas were also liberated, as residents declared their rejection of the Ba’athist regime.

On 8 March 1991, PUK forces positioned themselves near the Hezob Bridge and divided their forces into two axes. The first axis, led by Kosrat Rasul Ali, advanced towards Hiran, Shaqlawa, Salahaddin and Erbil. The second axis, led by Bakr, moved towards Koya, Degala and Erbil. The following day, on 9 March, the forces advanced towards their targets and succeeded in liberating all of these areas.

Shaqlawa was liberated under the leadership of Kosrat Rasul Ali. During the battles, a telegram was sent to the Voice of the People of Kurdistan radio station announcing the city’s complete liberation. The announcement led to a collapse in the morale of the Ba’athist forces, many of whom fled or surrendered to the Peshmerga, who treated them with respect.

The plan to liberate Shaqlawa weakened the Ba’athist forces and contributed to their collapse, allowing the Peshmerga to later liberate Erbil with relative ease.