Kilde: KDP-Ankara

HISTORICAL CRONOLOGIE of SUD KURDISTAN

Up to mid-19th century, Kurdistan has known very long periods of de facto and de jure self-rule in the form of autonomous principalities.

1843-1846 - The last of these principalities of Bedr-Khan Bek revolted against Ottoman rule and was one of the lasts to be finally suppressed in 1847.

1849 - The Ottoman Sultan destroyed the autonomous government of Bitlis founded by Hakim ldris.

1878-1881 - Uprising against the Ottomans led by Sheikh Obeidallah.

1892 - The Ottoman Government opened "tribal schools" in Constantinople and Baghdad.

1898 - Kurdistan, the bilingual (Kurdo-Turk) organ appeared in Cairo under the editorship of the Bedr-Khan’s.

1908 - First attempts at organizing a national Kurdish Movement.

1910 - The Hewa (Hope) society was founded in Kurdistan (Northern Iraq).

14.12.1914 - Shiekh Abdul-Salam Barzani, leader of the Kurdish National Movement, was executed by the Ottoman Governor in Mosul.

8.11.1918 - After the signature on 30.10.1918 of the armistice with Turkey (at Mudros) a joint Franco-British Declaration was issued on 8.11.1918 {3 confirming that the two powers had but one aim i.e. that of "the complete and definitive liberation of the peoples oppressed by the Ottomans and the establishment of national governments and administrations drawing their authority and inspiration from a free choice of the indigenous populations".

1.12.1918 - Sheikh Mahmud presented Sir Arnold Wilson with a document signed by 40 tribal chiefs demanding the granting of certain rights to the Kurdish people.

23.5.1919 - Sheikh Mahmud revolted against the British in Sulaimania.

1919-1930 - A period of unbroken struggle against the British carried on under Sheikh Mahmud Berzenji of Sulaimania - a revolt accompanied by bloody reparations and deportations.

10.8.1920 - The Treaty of Sevres, envisaging the creation of an Independent Kurdistan. 1920 The Kurds boycotted the Referendum held by Iraq for approving the accession of Prince Faisal I.

24.6.1923 - The Treaty of Lausanne (replacing the Treaty of Sevres) between the Allies and Turkey excluding the Kurdish Question and the fate of the Mosul region.

24.12.1924 - A Statement made by the British High Commissioner "recognizing the right of the Kurds living within the frontiers of Iraq to establish a Kurdish Government inside these frontiers".

1925 - The Three-man Commission of the League of Nations polled Kurdish leaders concluding that they preferred Turkish Administration to Arab rule.

February-April 1925 - The Revolt of Sheikh Said.

16.12.1925 - The Council of the League of Nations adopted the border line between Turkey and Iraq annexing Mosul to Iraq for 25 years against the will of its Kurdish population.

1927 - The creation of the Kurdish National Committee in Iraq Khoybun marking the beginning of the contemporary struggle.

1930 - The Anglo-Iraqi Treaty.

1943-1945 - A revolt led by Sheikh Ahmad and Sheikh Latif lasted until October 1945.

1945 - Memorandum addressed by Kurds to the United Nations Constitutive Assembly outlining national claims.

1946 - Establishment of Kurdish Republic of Mahabad in Iran.

16.8.1946 - Kurdistan Democratic Party founded.

1947 - Fall of the Republic of Mahabad.

1947 - In the historic march from Mahabad to USSR, Mustafa Barzani with 520 of his peshmergas fought their way through Iran, Iraq and Turkey and sought safety in the Soviet Union.

9.10.1956 - Shiekh Mahmoud Barzinji died in Baghdad.

14.7.1958 - The Republican Revolution in Iraq.

27.7.1958 - The Promulgation of the Provisional Constitution of Iraq. Article 3 of which reads: "the Arabs and the Kurds are partners in this fatherland".

7.10.1958 - Mustafa Barzani returned to Iraq from exile in the Soviet Union.

October 1960 - The Kurdish daily Khabat attacked Gen. Kassem for failing to implement article three of the constitution.

8.6.1961 - Breakout of the present war in the first stage of which the army remained passive. The period of the first 3 months was characterized by mercenaries (Jahsh) being employed against the patriots with airforce indiscriminately bombing peaceful villages.

11.9.1961 - As the main bulk of the Baghdad army went into action against the Kurds, KDP fighters launched a general attack thus marking the turning of the revolt into a national Revolution.

March 1962 - A whole battalion was wiped out by KDP peshmergas in the Zakho region.

August 1962 - The oil pipelines of the Iraqi Petrol Company near Kirkuk were sabotaged.

11.3.1963 - Declaration of the Revolutionary Council (Baath) that "this Council recognized the rights of the Kurdish people.

24.4.1963 - Negotiations with the government of Baghdad. Kurdish Memorandum with a detailed definition of demands and the claim of autonomy (Hakum Dhati).

10.6.1963 - A Project of Decentralization in Iraq envisaging the creation of an administrative entity in the North.

10.6.1963 - War breaks out again (following the fall of the Baath government), the new government addressing the Kurds with an ultimatum to lay down arms within 24 hours.

28.10.1963 - "The International League for the Rights of Man" condemned the Iraqi Government for its " mass slaughter " and "virtual genocide".

10.2.1964 - General Mustafa Barzani and Iraqi President Aref announced a cease-fire.

26.5.1964 - The Accord on Union between Egypt and Iraq was concluded without consulting the Kurds.

July 1964 - Ibrahim Ahmed, Talabani and a small group left KDP and fled to Iran.

29.9.1964 - “Conference of the People" at Qala Diza

11.10.1964 - Barzani submitted a memorandum defining Kurdish claims and safeguards.

25.10.1964 - Communiqué of the KDP - on the setting up of the Council of the Revolution.

October 1964 - Negotiations and talks were opened (in secret) 8 months after cease-fire.

End April 1965 - Iraqi army resumed the war.

October 1965-January 1966 - Iraqi army implemented policy of total destruction of Kurdish villages on an unprecedented scale.

9.1.1966-16.1.1966 - A major Iraqi army attack against Kurdish forces in the Penjwin sector was repulsed.

30.1.1966 - Barzani's Memorandum on genocide and other atrocities perpetrated against the Kurds - submitted to the Secretary General of the United Nations and other international bodies.

December 1965-January 1966 - Peshmerga units launched continuous attacks and raids, on army units, bases, camps, installations in Arbil, Kirkuk, Sulaimania, Khanaqin and other sectors.

3.5.1966 - The Iraqi Army launched an all out offensive in the Rawanduz area.

12.5.1966 - In a Counter-attack by the Kurdish Forces the Iraqi 4th Brigade was entirely destroyed on Handren Mountain.

29.6.1966 - Cease-fire agreement, accompanied by 15-point program of the Iraqi Government which was accepted by the Command Council of' the Revolution as a foundation for a peaceful settlement. <

11.12.1966 - Memorandum from Barzani to the Iraqi Government holding them responsible for not implementing the 15-point program and declaring the failure of the government in honoring its promises.

5.1.1967 - Letter from Barzani to U. Thant informing the Secretary General of the UN- of the serious situation facing Kurdistan-Iraq.

17.7.1968 - Baath Party returned to power through another coup d’etat.

23.9.1968 - The Command Council of the Revolution in Iraqi Kurdistan including all members, of Kurdistan Democratic Party's Central Committee held a general meeting.

November 1968 - Hostilities started by the Baathist regime.

18.11.1968 - Envoy of the Command Council of the Revolution in Iraqi Kurdistan presented a memorandum on the current situation to the United Nations and was urging U. Thant to nominate a UN mediator to intervene in the settlement of the Kurdish question in a just and peaceful manner.

1.3.1969 - Major attack on the Kirkuk oil installation reported in full by Lord Kilbracken, which was published on 11th May 1969 in the Sunday Times of London.

10.3.1969 - Daily Telegraph of London reported "heavy fighting and napalm bombing by the Iraqi Army and Air Force".

11.3.1970 - March Agreement: KDP and Iraqi Government concluded and signed the March 11 Agreement which laid down the general principles of Kurdish autonomy within the framework of the Republic of Iraq. Baghdad reached a peace accord with the Kurds that promised the Kurds a significant degree of autonomy as well as participation in the central government. During the four years of the accord, however, Baghdad reneged on several promises; Kurds were deported from the oil-producing Kirkuk and Khanaqin districts so that these would remain outside the autonomous region. In this period, there were several attempts on Barzani’s life.

1972 - Baghdad signed a friendship pact with USSR and invited Iraqi Communist Party into Coalition Government.

March 1974 - The Iraqi Government proclaimed autonomy for the Kurdish region. Both the extend of the autonomy and the region covered were far less than the agreement of 1970. Kurdish leadership rejected this offer and war broke out.

February 1975 - Algiers Agreement between Iraq and Iran was at the expense of the Kurdish movement. While Iraq agreed to give up on some border territories and the Shat-al-Arab waterway to Iran, in return Tehran would cease its support for the Kurds.

March 1975 - Tens of thousands of refugees escaped the onslaught of Iraqi Army and entered Iran; equal numbers returned to Iraq under an amnesty only to be deported to southern deserts.

1975 - Jalal Talabani who had split from the KDP in the 60s, formed his own party, a union of various splinter groups, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan-PUK.

1975 - Baghdad regime continued with its scorch earth policy, deportations and abductions.

26.5.1976 - The new Kurdish military and political movement of the KDP
after regrouping commenced on its activities in Iraqi Kurdistan. This is known as Gulan Revolution. Mustafa Barzani left Iran for USA to receive treatment for his lung cancer.

1976 - Throughout these years Baghdad continued with deportations and destruction of Kurdish communities.

1978 - Internal conflict between KDP and PUK.

1.3.1979 - Kurdish national leader, Mulla Mustafa Barzani died in Washington from lung cancer only days before his scheduled return to Iranian Kurdistan after the demise of the Shah through Islamic Revolution in Iran.

1979 - KDP held its 9th Congress and Massoud Barzani was elected as its president.

1979 - Saddam Hussien became President of Iraq from his previous post of vice presidency.

1979 - Islamic Revolution led to Kurdish uprising in Iran and demands for autonomy was dealt heavy handedly by Revolutionary Guards.

September 1980 - Iraq abrogated Algiers Agreement and launched a large-scale war against Iran.

1980 - At the start of Iran-Iraq war, the Kurds of Iraq cease the opportunity to increase pressure on Baghdad.

1980 - Internal clashes between KDP and PUK continued.

1981 - Kurdish Movement was gaining strength against Baghdad with many army deserters from Iran/Iraq Warfront lines joining Peshmerga units.

1982 - Iran/Iraq War was covering the whole length of the border and Kurdish areas on both side of the border.

1983 - Iraqi regime blaming its army’s defeats on Kurdish population and its uprisings, in an unprecedented reprisal move, over eight thousand male members of the Barzani Clan were rounded up and deported to unknown destinations, their fates are not known to date.

1984 - PUK started dialogue with Baghdad for an autonomy deal. This dialogue which continued for months came to no positive end.

1985 - Large areas of Kurdish countryside fell under the control of main Kurdish groups.

9.6.1985 - Iraqi airforce attacked Zewa refugee camp of Iraqi Kurds in Iran, killing 125 civilians and 372 wounded.

1986 - In a desperate war of survival, Baghdad was deploying every weapons at it disposal including chemical one which were used for the first time in Shiekwasan and Balisan regions.

1986 - Witnessed end of clashes between main Kurdish groups of KDP and PUK. Foundation stones were laid for future cooperation and joint activities by the late Idris Barzani.

1987 - In January, the sad news of Idris Barzani’s death sent shock waves amongst all Kurds. The death of Idris Barzani (son of late Mustafa Barzani), a military commander, diplomat, politician and a strategist, was a great loss not only to KDP but also to the Kurdish movement as a whole.

1987 - Kurdistan Front, an umbrella organization of main Kurdish groups and Assyrian Democratic Movement was declared. This front was the dream of Kurds and it brought the long waiting unity amongst Kurdish parties.

1988 - March 16th was a catastrophe in the history of mankind when Iraqi military and air forces attacked the peaceful town of Halabja with deadly chemical weapons. In less than an hour, over five thousand civilians lost their lives in the most horrendous way and further ten thousand of the town’s population was injured. <

8.8.1988 - End to futile war of Iran and Iraq after Iran accepted UN resolution for a settlement. Iraqi Army’s hands were now free to settle her scores with the Kurdish population and avenge its losses with Iran. The Anfal Operation commenced in Bahdinan and Garmian areas and more chemical weapons were used. Over seventy thousand people in Bahdinan region fled to Turkey. Over one hundred and eighty thousand civilians were rounded up and have disappeared since then.

1989 - Despite the difficult circumstances, the Kurdish resistance movement continued.

2.8.1990 - Iraq invaded Kuwait in August. International outrage led to formation of coalition forces to oust Iraq from Kuwait. UNSC imposed sanctions on Iraq.

17.1.1991 - Witnessed a full-scale war in the Gulf and the start of many calamities. The uprising in Southern Iraq engulfed the region and the Kurdish area of the north soon fell under the control of Kurdistan Front.

26.2.1991 - Allied troops took control of Kuwait in 100-hour ground war.

28.2.1991 - Cease-fire announced between Iraq and allies.

July 1991 - The first official Kurdish delegation headed by Nechirvan Barzani received by Turkish President Turgut Ozal at Cankaya Palace.

1991 - At the end of March, Iraqi Army suppressed the movement in the south and unleashed its forces in an act of vengeance against the Kurds. A wide scale massacre and fear of the use of chemical weapons led to a mass exodus of over two million civilians.

1991 - April of this year witnessed an unprecedented international response to the plight of the Kurds. UNSC passed resolution No.688 calling Iraq to end oppression of its citizens. A “Safe Haven” region was established by the allies to protect Kurdish population. NGOs rushed to the aid of displaced people.

18.4.1991 - The fate of the Kurds stranded in the mountains was uncertain. Kurdistan Front responded to an Iraqi invitation for peace talks. A high level delegation headed by PUK leader Jalal Talabani visited Iraqi capital and met with Saddam Hussein. In the summer of 1991 Massoud Barzani, leader of KDP, also visited Baghdad to continue with inconclusive peace talks for autonomy.

1991 - The majority of displaced people were assisted by the allies, UN agencies and NGOs to return to their homes.

1991 - Official contacts between Kurdish groups and Turkey established.

1991 - In October, Baghdad regime withdrew its own administration from the three governorates of Arbil, Suleimania and Dohuk.

1992 - Official representation of Kurdistan Democratic Party was established in Ankara.

1992 - Leader of Kurdistan Democratic Party, Massoud Barzani, was officially invited to Ankara and received at Cankaya Palace meeting with the late President Turgut Ozal and the government of Suleyman Demirel. Barzani on his tour abroad also met with world leaders including the late President Francois Mitterand and British Prime Minister John Major.

1992 - May 19th was historical, since for the first time in the history, the Kurds could hold a free and democratic election for a national assembly and formation of the regional Kurdish government.

1992 - October 4th was another historical development when the Kurdish National Assembly voted unanimously for a federal solution to the Kurdish problem within a united and democratic Iraq.

27.10.1992 - First meeting of Iraqi National Congress convened in Salahadin. All Iraqi opposition groups were represented.

17.3.1993 - PUK, a coalition partner in the Regional Government, reshuffled their half portion of the Cabinet which was previously headed by Dr. Fuad Ma’asoum and replaced by Kosrat Rasoul. However KDP maintained its members of the Cabinet unchanged.

June 1993 - KDP Leader Massoud Barzani visited Turkey and met with Turkish President Suleyman Demirel in Istanbul.

16.8.1993 - KDP held its 11th Party Congress.

6.10.1993 - Remains of Mustafa Barzani and Idris Barzani were brought from Iran for their last resting-place in Barzan.

1993 - At the end of this year PUK embarked on a military operation against The Islamic Movement of Kurdistan (IMK) in Sulaimania region. The Minister of Peshmerga Affairs (PUK member) deployed the resources of the local government to solve an internal dispute, more than five hundred people killed.

1994 - KDP tried to end PUK/IMK conflict in February 1994. KDP saw signs of cracks in the coalition government with PUK and asked for a new early election. PUK refused this suggestion.

1994 - By May, some tensions developed and erupted in Rania and Qala Diza region on a small land dispute. Soon clashes took place all over the region.

1994 - Peace efforts by KDP and its leader Massoud Barzani was continuing; Iraqi National Congress also played a positive role in these efforts.

16.7.1994 - In Paris a meeting was held in Rambouillet between KDP and PUK senior officials in order to resolve the dispute. Madam Daniella Mitterand was at the forefront of these talks and an amicable agreement was reached which was later violated in December 1994 when PUK forces occupied the city of Arbil, government and assembly buildings. This military coup d’etat led KDP units to abandon the city to avoid bloodshed and harm to civilian population.

1995 - In January 1995, PUK leader called on general mobilization against the KDP and Barzani. Fighting escalated on many fronts.

August 1995 - Drogheda (Ireland) talks began sponsored by the State Department of USA and both British and Turkish diplomats present as observers. These talks fell through due to disengagement of US for a long period of time and PUK continued its violations of the cease-fire and occupation of Arbil. A month later in a second meeting in Dublin, PUK refused previously agreed resolution.

22.5.1996 - Iraq reached a deal with UN to sell $ 2 billion in oil for 180 days to buy food and medicine.

1996 - Witnessed some drastic developments. While PUK was in collaboration with PKK to open a second front against the KDP in the northeastern sector of the region, Iran was also providing logistical and backup artillery support to this operation. In August 1996, the situation became so desperate that PUK and PKK managed to control large parts of the northeastern fronts (Choman, Qasre, Galala, Sidekan etc.).

1996 - KDP leadership made many appeals to the US, UK and Turkish governments for their intervention and prevent further escalation of clashes.

1996 - August 31st, KDP, in a surprising move, contacted the Baghdad regime for limited military assistance to oust PUK from Arbil and end Iranian intervention in the region. In matter of hours PUK military forces and large numbers of its leadership fled Arbil eastwards to Sulaimania. Some key figures were apprehended but were released at a later date.

1996 - In September, against these rapid developments which sent shock waves to many capitals including Washington and London, a high level US delegation came to Ankara to meet with Massoud Barzani to hear KDP’s views and reasons for such a move and draw new policies for future co-operation. KDP delegation also met with The Deputy Prime Minister Tansu Ciller.

1996 - By end of September, all PUK forces were routed from Iraqi Kurdistan and had fled into Iran.

26.9.1996 - The third cabinet was formed by Dr. Rojh Shaways.

1996 - October witnessed more surprises. A high level delegation of KDP was on its was to Washington to discuss the new situation when PUK made a reappearance on the scene fully supported by Iranian military. Soon the PUK units made their return to the region and regained control of Sulaimania, Qala Diza, Rania and Koysinjak areas. US brokered cease-fire was declared.

1996 - Ankara was the venue for the end of October peace talks in what is known as Ankara Process.

1997 - Many meetings in Ankara were held and commissions were established to investigate various claims. Peace Monitoring Force (PMF) comprised of Assyrian and Turcoman groups, was formed to maintain cease-fire. Supervisory Peace Monitoring Group (SPMG) was supervising these activities from Ankara with KDP and PUK representatives as well as Turkish, British and US diplomats.

13.10.1997 - In yet another effort of PUK and PKK tried to take control of border regions with Iran and occupied certain regions. For the first time the sponsors of peace process US, UK and Turkish government identified PUK as the aggressor and demanded an immediate withdrawal to cease-fire lines. PUK refused to do so; KDP began an operation against PUK and PKK positions and pushed both groups to the demarcated lines.

15.4.1998 - First joint meeting by KDP and PUK with UN officials in Koysinjak to discuss the preparation of the new plan of distribution of aid under UNSC resolution 986.

1998 - Witnessed diplomatic activities of US State Department to convene a meeting between the two leaders of KDP and PUK.

27.5.1998 - Kurdish delegation including KDP and PUK went to Cairo for Arabo-Kurdish dialogue.

5.9.1998 - KDP Leader Massoud Barzani with a high level KDP delegation arrived in Ankara. Prior to his US visit, he met with Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem.

9.9.1998 - KDP Leader Massoud Barzani and a high level KDP delegation were invited to Washington by US State Department.

1998 - On September 17th, a peace agreement was signed between Massoud Barzani and Jalal Talabani at the US State Department.

27.11.1998 - First KTV pictures started its test emissions abroad.

1999 - Some points of this agreement were already implemented but the main point was new elections which was to be held in summer 1999 was still pending. However the last two years has witnessed a solid cease-fire and direct and regular contacts between KDP and PUK on very high level. Public service, health and education departments were functioning and coordinating their activities. Financial funds were made available by KDP to PUK to meet some needs of Sulaimania region.

17.1.1999 - KTV satellite station started beaming its first pictures from its studios in Iraqi Kurdistan.

1999 - In January of this year, leader of PUK, Jalal Talabani, visited the KDP headquarters in Salahadin meeting Massoud Barzani and KDP leadership. This was the first meeting between the two leaders inside Kurdistan since 1994.

28.5.1999 - Meeting of Iraqi opposition in Washington under the auspices of Madeline Albright.

1999 - On October 6th, KDP held its 12th General Party Congress which lasted for one week. A new central committee of the party was elected and Massoud Barzani reelected as KDP leader.

1999 - After the first session of the new KDP leadership, a decision was taken to dispatch a delegation to Sulaimania to meet Jalal Talabani and PUK leadership. This delegation was headed by Nechirvan Barzani and other key figures in the KDP. Further financial assistance was made available to PUK upon this visit.

1999 - End of October witnessed a conference of the Iraqi opposition groups in New York. Kurdish groups participated in this meeting including KDP and PUK. With a united position, the Kurdish delegations managed to secure the principle federal solution to the Kurdish problem in future Iraq which was voted unanimously by the conference.

1999 - The Kurdish National Assembly designated Nechirvan Barzani as the new Prime Minister for the Kurdish Regional Government and to form the fourth government.

1999 - On 20th December, the fourth cabinet, a coalition of KDP and other groups, was presented to the Assembly and sworn in. The Parliament gave its vote of confidence to the new government.

17.4.2000 - An international was held at American University, Washington D.C., by the Center for Global Peace and Mustafa Barzani Scholar of Kurdish Studies. This two day conference was attended by scholars, policy makers and politicians, diplomats and journalists. It analyzed, in aglobal context, key political, economic, and cultural issues confronting the Kurds. H.E. Nechirvan Barzani delievered a to the conference.

Kilde: KDP-Ankara