Brief History of Kurds and = Kurdistan) &nb= sp; &nbs= p; =20

= &= nbsp; &n= bsp; =20

(Siddiq=20 Skender)

Chapter one: (Geography and = Population)

First: (What is = Kurdistan?)

It is the land of the = Kurds, mostly=20 mountainous area, located west the continent of = Asia. =20 = &= nbsp; =20

. The=20 land Geographically united, but politically was divided between = four=20 countries.

.=20 Kurdistan=92s land is located on the southeast of Turkey,=20 west of Iran, north and northeast of Iraq and=20 north of Syria.

. Its=20 land mass approximately 530,000 (Five hundred thirty = thousand)=20 square Kilometers.

. = The land is approximately the = size of=20 France. It is larger than the combined size of = the=20 states of Virginia and California (In the U.S.). =

. The=20 shape of Kurdistan is = like=20 Sickle or Crescent.

. In the ancient times, Kurdistan was = called=20 Zagros, or Zagros Highland.

Zagros:

It means = beyond the=20 Mountains.

. During the first Millennium = B.C. the=20 Greek historians called the land of the Ancient Kurds as=20 Zagros.

. = They called=20 the people of the Zagros as Zagros people, Zagros nation or = nations.

Zagros=20 Highland:

It means = the highland=20 beyond the mountains.

. Zagros Highlands is the original home = of the=20 Ancient Kurds.

. = Kurdistan lies within the Zagros=20 Highlands.

. = It is=20 called Highland because it is mostly higher than its surroundings. =

Description of the chain Mountain System of=20 Kurdistan:

The land = of Kurdistan=20 is made of Parallel mountain chains, which run = generally=20 from northwest of Kurdistan (east of the Mediterranean = Sea), to=20 southeast of Kurdistan.=20

. = These=20 parallel mountain chains join together with the isolated = ridges and=20 foothills and they form the mountain system of Kurdistan = (Zagros=20 Highland).

Some parts = of the=20 chain Mountain system of Kurdistan are:

1) The=20 Zagros Mountains in = Kurdistan of=20 Iran, which extend outside of Kurdistan into south of Iran.

2) = The=20 Taurus Mountains in Kurdistan of Iraq, which extend into=20 Turkey.

3) = The=20 Ararat and Taurus Mountains in Kurdistan of Turkey, = which=20 extend outside of Kurdistan.

Notice: The=20 land In Kurdistan of Syria is mostly composed of hills and plains. =

. = The Kurds=20 live north of Syria in three separate locations, north of = al-Jezirah,=20 Euphrates entrance to Syria and near Halab (Aleppo) at Jabbal = al-Akrad=20 (Mountain of the Kurds).

Second: (Some=20 cities of Kurdistan with large Kurdish population)

1) Kurdistan of Turkey: Diyar = Bakir,=20 Mardin, Urfa, Jezirah (Cizre), Batman, Mush, Badlis (Bitlis),

Wan (Van), Malatya, Marash, Erzinjan = (Erzincan) and=20 Erzurum.

2) Kurdistan of Iran: = Kurmanshah=20 (Bakhtaran), Khorramabad, Ilam, Qasri-Shirin, Saqqiz, Senna = (Sanandaj),=20 Mahabad, Bukan, and Orumiyah.

3) Kurdistan of Iraq: Kirkuk,=20 Sulaimaniyah, Arbil (Hawler), Duhok, Sinjar, Halabja, Khanaqin and = Mandali.

4) Kurdistan of Syria: = Qamishly,=20 Hasakah, Dayrik, A=92muda, Darbasiya, Ayn Diwar and Afrin. =

Third: = (Natural Resources of=20 Kurdistan)

Though Kurdistan=20 is rich in mineral and oil resources; it is the least developed = region of=20 Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria. Consequently, the Kurds derive their = primarily living from farming and shepherding.

1) The=20 Weather:

Kurdistan has a Mediterranean climate, which is rainy and cold in = the=20 winter, hot, dry and no rain in the summer.

. = The weather=20 in the mountainous regions is severe and snow falls heavily which = slows=20 down communications during the winter season.

2) Agriculture and=20 Farming:

Kurdistan=92s economy is based mainly on = agriculture and livestock (sheep, goat, cow, and poultry). =

. The tribe communities = combine=20 agriculture with the raising of farm animals, because of the = suitable=20 climate and sufficient amounts of rainfall.

. The = Farm animals=20 including Poultry are one of the important sources of income in=20 Kurdistan.

. Kurdistan highland is the natural habitat for = grain and=20 cereal.

. = The=20 summer crops such as = rice, corn,=20 cotton, beets and sugar beets are produced in large quantities by = means of=20 irrigation.

. The Kurdish=20 Tobacco is considered = of good=20 quality, and is sold throughout the Middle East or delivered to = cigarette=20 factories.

. The = Fruits and=20 vegetables are produced in large quantity.

. = The Thick=20 forest now exists on = the rugged=20 mountain slopes and in accessible valleys.

. The Woodland covers most of = the=20 mountainous and hilly countryside.

3) Water Resources in=20 Kurdistan:

Kurdistan=92s soil is=20 fertile and rainfall is abundant and there are many rivers and = high=20 mountains, where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers originate. =

. Kurdistan has a=20 tremendous quantity of water resources, it has been described as = the heart=20 of the region because almost all of the water supply for the area = comes=20 from Kurdistan.

These are some of the Rivers in Kurdistan = and most=20 them end up outside of Kurdistan:

1) The=20 Euphrates River=20 = &= nbsp; =20 7) Aras=20

2) The = Tigris=20 = ; = &= nbsp; =20 8) Dizful

3) The = Great=20 = Zab &nbs= p; = ; =20 9) Alwand=20 (Halwan)

4) The = Lesser=20 Zab = ; =20 = &= nbsp; =20 10) Kerkha =20 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; =20 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp;

5) The Khabur = ; =20 11) Kizil Uzan (Safid =96 Rud)

6) = Sirwan and=20 Diyala

4) = Mineral=20 Resources:

Kurdistan = is=20 considered to be rich in mineral resources and these are some of=20 them:

1) Iron=20 = 4)=20 = Lead &nb= sp; =20 7)=20 Uranium =20 = =

2)=20 = Coal =20 5)=20 = Magnesium &nbs= p; =20 8) gold and=20 = Silver &= nbsp; &n= bsp; =20

3)=20 Copper 6) Zinc = and=20 tin =20 9) Gypsum 10) = Chrome

5) Oil=20 Resources:

Kurdistan is very rich in oil resources. = The oil=20 fields in Kurdistan include the following:

1- Kurdistan of Iraq:

There are=20 four working oil fields, which are located in Ain Zala, = Kirkuk,=20 Zanboor and Khanaqin.

. Also = there are=20 fourteen other fields are known to contain rich oil = deposits.

2-=20 Kurdistan of = Iran:

The oil fields located near = the city of kurmanshah.

3-=20 Kurdistan of = Turkey:

Turkey=92s only oil fields are = located in the=20 district of Van. =

4-=20 Kurdistan of = Syria:

=20 Its oil fields are located in the district of Jezirah near the Iraq-Turkey = border.

Fourth: (The Kurdish = Population=20 in the world) =20 = &= nbsp; =20

In May of = 1990, the Institute for = strategic=20 studies at George Town University, Washington D.C. in the U.S. = estimated=20 the total Kurdish population in the World to about 39.260=20 million Kurds as follow: =

1) Turkey: 19.4 = million=20 Kurds.=20 = &= nbsp; =20 3) Iraq: 4.750 million = Kurds.=20

2)=20 Iran: = 11=20 million=20 = Kurds. &= nbsp;=20 4) Syria: 1.5 million = Kurds

5) = 1.6 Million Kurds in the following four = countries: Azerbaijan, Armenia,=20 Georgia and=20 = Lebanon. = ;=20

6) = 1.1 million Kurds in Europe and other places

Notice: Today the Kurdish = population in the=20 World in the year 2003 according to the above statistics is more = than=20 forty-five = millions.

The = Kurdish population=20 in Europe in 2003:

There are more than one million = Kurds in=20 Europe. They are there, as refugees or immigrants.

. They live=20 primarily in the countries of Germany, Holland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Italy, = Greece and=20 Britain.

The = Kurdish Population=20 in Canada in 2003:

There are = approximately 10,000 (ten thousand) Kurds living in Canada, = especially in=20 the cities of Toronto, Hamilton, Kitchener, London and some other = cities.=20

(The Kurdish population in the United = States)

=20

First: The=20 early or First Kurdish Immigrants in the United=20 States:

In the = beginning of=20 the 20^th century, thousands of Kurds migrated to the = U.S. from=20 Kurdistan of Turkey, and they settled mainly in the cities of = Detroit and=20 Chicago, also some of them settled in the state of New Jersey. = There is=20 little recorded information about them today.

Second: In the year=20 2003:

There are = approximately 25,000 = (twenty-five=20 thousands) Kurds live in the United States, and more than 80% of = them are=20 from Kurdistan of Iraq. They arrived in the U.S. mostly as=20 refugees.

= . The=20 following numbers are approximate, the Kurds living in the United = States=20 are mostly concentrated in Nashville-Tennessee 6000 Kurds,=20 Dallas-Texas 3000 Kurds, San Diego - California 3000 = Kurds,=20 and Virginia 2000 Kurds. The Kurds also live in several = other U.S.=20 cities.

. Also = there is=20 thousands of other unknown number of Kurds in the U.S. who = migrated from=20 different parts of Kurdistan.

Chapter Two: =20 =20 (THE KURDISH HISTORY)

First: (Who are the Kurds?)

. The Kurdish people = belong to=20 the Indo-European family of=20 nations.

. = The Kurds have been = living in=20 Kurdistan for more than 5000=20 years. =

. = The Kurds are the = third=20 largest ethnic groups in the Middle East after the Arabs and the = Turks.=20

. = They are the = largest minority=20 in Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria.

. The Kurds are = considered as=20 one of the largest ethnic minorities in the World without a = country of=20 their own.

The meaning of some terms:

. Kurds: It=20 means the people.

. =20 Kurdish: It means the = people.=20 Also it means the language.

. =20 Kurdistan: It means the = land of=20 the=20 = Kurds. &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; =20

Kurdistan is two parts word: Part one is the word = Kurd and Part two is Istan, which means the land.

Kurdistan is considered as the cradle of = Humanity=20 after the Great Flood:

=20 According to many Muslim scholars, after the Great=20 Flood, the prophet Noah=92s Ark or ship settled on = Mount=20 Judi, which is Located South of present day Kurdistan of = Turkey=20 (Near the Iraqi-Syrian borders).

. = The ground on=20 Mount Judi has been shaped like a Ship or a Boat. The term Mount = Judi was=20 mentioned in the Muslim holy book of the Koran (Qur=92an).

. = But=20 according to Christian scholars, Noah=92s Ark was settled = on the=20 highest Mountain in the Ararat region called Mount Ararat, = east of=20 present day Kurdistan of Turkey.

. = From=20 the new discoveries in the black sea area, the Scientists = believe=20 that, the Great flood happened around 5500 B.C. (7500 years ago).

. = Also the=20 resent discoveries in several areas of Kurdistan of Iraq, proves = that=20 there were people living in Kurdistan before and after the Great = Flood.=20

. = So, according=20 to the above information, Noah and his three sons = Sam,=20 Ham and Yafeth (Jafeth) started their new = life from=20 the above location and later the people spread around the world = from=20 there.

Notice: = Some=20 scholars believe that the term Judi has been originated = from the=20 term Guti (the First documented Ancient Kurdish Nation), because = in the=20 Arabic language the letter K or J is used instead of the letter = G.

Second: = (The Kurdish = Origin)

The Ancient Kurds = (3100-1000 B.C.)

The = Migration of=20 the Caucasian and Indo-European Groups of Nations to the Zagros = Highlands:=20

The Ancient Kurds = are of=20 Caucasian and Indo-European origin. They migrated to the Zagros = Highlands=20 before 3100 B.C.=20 and=20 through 1000 B.C.

. There = were many=20 groups of nations of the Ancient Kurds that lived in the Zagros = Highlands=20 between 3100-1000 B.C, but the existence of at least = nine=20 nations have been=20 documented.

. Most=20 Historians believe that the following eight Nations are of=20 Caucasian origin and = that they=20 migrated to the Zagros from the Caucasus region north of the = Zagros=20 highlands, and they spoke different Dialects of the Caucasian = language:=20

They are the nations of Guti, Subari, Lullu, Kassite, Mitanni, = Mani,=20 Urartu and Nairi.

. But some Historians believe that the three nations of Guti, Kassite and = Mitanni=20 are of Indo European = origin.

. = The = Mede:=20 They are the last of = the nine=20 groups that migrated to the Zagros. They are of Indo = European=20 origin.

&nbs= p; = ; =20

Kurdish Roots: (Historical Overview of the Nine Kurdish=20 Nations)

1) = Guti Nation:

Also it = is called=20 Gutu.

. The = Guti=20 nation founded the Gutium = Kingdom within the Zagros and their Kingdom = was=20 documented around 3100 B.C.

. This = nation=20 occupied most of the present day Kurdistan of Iraq, from the = rivers Sirwan=20 and Diyala to the Great = Zab River.

. Later some of the Guties lived in = other=20 parts of Kurdistan (In present day Kurdistan of Iran and Turkey). =

. This Nation controlled Sumer and = Akad in the=20 years 2237-2112 B.C.

. Their = Capital was=20 the city of Arapkho (In = or around=20 the city of Kirkuk). = Their other=20 well-known city was the city of Arbilum (Arbil or = Hawler).

. This nation lasted until the first = Millennium B.C.

. The Guti was assimilated later = into the=20 Subari and Lullu Nations.

. The Guti = nation is=20 considered as the Kurds=92 most ancient ancestors.

2) = Subari=20 Nation:=20 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; = ; = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; =20

The = western region of=20 the Subari was referred to as the Hurrian nation.

. The = Subari nation=20 was founded within the Zagros Highlands as of 3000 BC.=20 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; =20

= . They lived in present day Kurdistan = of Iraq,=20 Syria and Turkey. =

. The = Subari also is=20 called Subartu or Subaru.

. The = Subari lasted=20 until the 7^th century B.C.

3) = Lullu Nation:=20 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; = ; = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; =20

The = Lullu=20 nation also called Lullubum.

. They = lived=20 primarily in the Shehrazor region=20 in Sulaimaniyah.=20 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp;=20

. The = Lullu nation=20 had Kingdom in the Zagros around 2800 BC.=20 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; =20

= . The Assyrian called the Lullu = nation as=20 Zamwa. =

. Also some of the Lullu nation = lived in Syria=20 and Iran.

. Their Capital=20 was called Arak-di (Arbat). Their = Kingdom ended=20 in 700 B.C. = ; = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; =20 = &= nbsp; =20

4)=20 Kassite = Nation:

Also the = Kassite is=20 written as Cassite, and in the Bible it is called=20 = Kushu. &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; =20

. The = Kassite nation=20 is a mix of the Guti, Subari and Lullu nations.=20 = &= nbsp; =20

. They = lived south of=20 Kurdistan. Their = original=20 homeland was located in the present day Kurmanshah and Luristan regions south Kurdistan of Iran.=20 =

. The = Kassites first=20 controlled the Lullu, Guti and Subari nations of the Zagros Highlands, then conquered Babylonia about 1600 B.C. and created Empire for nearly 400 = years,=20 Circa 1600-1200 BC.

. Their = Empire=20 extended to the Caucasian region and the Caspian Sea.

. Their = capital city=20 was known as Dur Kurigalzu (Agar Quf) about 30 Kilometers west of=20 Baghdad.

. The = Kassites lost=20 their Empire in 1200 B.C., but their Kingdom in the Kurmanshah and = Luristan regions lasted until the end of the 7^th = Century=20 B.C. and the Kassite nation was existed = until the=20 first century A.D, then the name Luristan appeared in = the=20 region.

5) = Mitanni=20 Nation:=20 = &= nbsp; =20

The = Mitanni nation=20 was also called Hurrian = Nation.

. Most = Historians=20 believe that the = Mitanni nation=20 is a branch of the Subari nation.

. The Mitanni=20 or Hurrian nation founded kingdom and Empire called Hurri-Mitanni, = which=20 lasted for more than 600 years (1500-880 BC.) until its final defeat on the = hands of the=20 Assyrians about 880 B.C.

. The = heartland of=20 the Mitanni Nation was west of Kurdistan of Iraq (near the Syrian = border),=20 South Kurdistan of = Turkey and=20 Northeast of Syria.

. Their = Capital was=20 Washshukanni which was = located=20 around the Khabur River = (In=20 Kurdistan of Turkey, south of Diyar Bakir), = later they=20 moved their Capital to the city of Arapkho (Kirkuk), after they controlled=20 = it. &nbs= p; = ; = =20 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; =20

= . At their widest extent, they = controlled the=20 land from the Mediterranean Sea=20 (Including the Gulf of Iskenderon) to Azerbaijan, also including = Syria and=20 Palestine. They were at constant war with the Hittite Empire in = Anatolia=20 between 1500-1200 B.C., and at constant wars with the Assyrians = between=20 1300-880 B.C. (Notice: The Assyrian power lasted from 1300-612=20 = B.C.) &n= bsp; &nb= sp; =20

6) = Mani Nation:

The = Mani nation=20 controlled the area in Kurdistan of Iran south of lake Orumiyah.

. Their Capital was called=20 Izirtu, which was located 50 kilometers from the present = day city=20 of Saqqez.

. Their Kingdom existed during the = period of=20 900-625 B.C.

7) = Urartu=20 = Nation: = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; = ; = &= nbsp; =20

The = Urartu nation=20 also was called as Khaldi nation.

. The Urartu nation had Kingdom in the northern = portion of=20 Kurdistan, during the = period of=20 880-585 BC. . The Mountains of Ararat was named = after the=20 name of Urartu.

. They = controlled the=20 region of Van, Orumiyah, south of the Caucasus region, and at = their widest=20 extent they reached the Euphrates River=20 and Rawanduz area.=20 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; = ; =20

= . Their capital was the city of = Van=20 (Tospas), which they built in = 840=20 B.C.

. The = Urartu nation=20 is a branch of the Subari (Hurrian) nation.

. = The Urartu and Nairi nations, sometimes = dominated=20 each other.

. In the middle=20 of the 8^th Century B.C. the Armenian nation who where = living west of=20 Urartu nation, advanced into this Kingdom and controlled the = northern part=20 of Urartu Kingdom, which later became known as = Armenia. &nb= sp; &nbs= p; =20 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; =20

= . The Armenians are Indo European = nation,=20 Migrated to west of Urartu Nation in 1000 B.C.

. = In 606 B.C. the Median Empire = controlled the southern part of the Urartu Kingdom, and the Urartu = Kingdom=20 was disappeared in 585 B.C.

8) = Nairi Nation: &nbs= p; = ; = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; = ; = =20

The Nairi = nation also=20 was called as Nahri nation.

. The Nairi nation = lived in=20 central Kurdistan (Southeast of present day Kurdistan of Turkey), = in the=20 Hakkari Mountains, south of Lake Van and the upper Great Zab = River, also=20 their Kingdom was extended to the areas of Darsim, Badlis, Diyar = Bakir and=20 the upper part of the Tigres and Euphrates rivers.

. Their main area was the Valley of = Butan=20 (between the city of Julamerge (Hakkari) to the city of Mardin) = near the=20 Iraq and Syrian=20 = border. = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; =20

. The Nairi nation were mostly = independent during the periods of foreign powers control of = Kurdistan,=20 even during the Median Empire control of the Zagros Highlands, = they had=20 some kind of Independence.

. The = Nairi nation=20 was mentioned first by the Assyrians in the 13^th = century=20 B.C.

. The Medes=20 became the Nairi Nation neighbor and slowly moved into their land = when the=20 Nairi=92s Kingdom was weak and they controlled their=20 = Kingdom. = ; = =20

. = This Nation=20 was powerful and rivaled the Assyrian Empire.

. They = had many wars=20 with the Assyrians. Also they helped the Medes in defeating the=20 Assyrians.The Nairi land is the same land that the Greek Historian = Xenophone and his Army passed through in 401 B.C. and called the = people=20 there as Kurdok (Kurdokh).

. After = Xenophone, in=20 the 4^th century B.C., the Historians, began calling the = Nairi=20 land as Kurdoin

. Today = some of their=20 ancient ruins are located in the Shamdinan area in Kurdistan of Turkey in the=20 Hakkari = region.

. This nation was formed from the = remnants of=20 the nations of Subari and Guti.

9) The Mede Nation: =20

The=20 origin of the = Mede nation is Indo-European descent.

. The = modern=20 Kurdish people consider = themselves as the descendents of=20 the Medes.

. = They migrated = to the=20 Zagros Highland (present day Kurdistan) from Central Asia = (northeast of=20 the Caspian Sea) around 1000=20 BC.

. They settled first between = lake=20 Orumiyah and the Caspian Sea (present day northwest of Iran).

. They = founded the=20 city of Akbatan (Hamadan), which=20 became their Capital.

. The Medes=20 ruled between 708-550 B.C.

. They = established=20 their monarchy in the year 708 B.C., which they ruled from 708 =96 612 = BC.

. They = also=20 established an empire (called Media or Median Empire), after they = helped=20 in defeating the Assyrians, and ruled from 612 =96 550 = BC.

. Also they controlled the Persian = nation who=20 was of Indo European Origin, and were living to the south of their = land.=20

. During the=20 158 years of the Medes Rule, only four Mede Kings ruled: =

The first = King who=20 founded the Median Kingdom in 708 B.C. was called Diyako, he ruled for 53 years (708-655 = B.C.).

. The Medes=20 conquered some parts of the Assyrian Empire through many years of = wars and=20 battles with the help of the Ancient Kurds and the Babylonian = Kingdom (Chaldean) under the Babylonian = king=20 Nabopolassur.

. Korush (Cyrus) king of Persia = revolted=20 against the Medes and controlled their Empire about 550 = BC, then he founded the Achaemenid = Empire which=20 lasted from 550 BC =96 331 BC

. Cyrus united=20 the Medes and the Persians and they shared the government together = and=20 formed a great empire in Asia and the Near East.

. He also = introduced=20 the Zaradasht (Zoroastrianism) religion to his empire.

. The Greek=20 Army under the command of Alexander of Macedon invaded the = Achaemenid=20 Empire and conquered it in 331 B.C.

The = Ancient Kurdish=20 Languages assimilation into the Mede Language:

In the first Millennium B.C. the = Ancient=20 Kurdish Languages were assimilated into the Mede language, which = is an=20 Indo-European language between the 7^th = =964^th century=20 B.C.

. = And this Mede = language=20 became the origin or basis of the = current=20 Kurdish=20 = language. &nbs= p; = ; = &= nbsp; =20 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; =20

Third: =20 (Indo-European)

=20 First: The Indo-European Languages and people:

The Indo-European languages originated = in Anatolia=20 (part of present day Turkey) around 5000 B.C, and=20 spread to Europe, the Caucasus region, and to Central Asia. =

. Some of the=20 Indo-European languages are Kurdish, Baluchi, Pashtu, = Persian,=20 Hindi, Urdu, English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, = Scandinavians,=20 Russian, Slav and Greek. =

Second: = The reason for=20 calling it Indo-European Language:

. = Some of the=20 languages from India to Europe are basically common in some = of=20 their vocabulary words and the grammar.

. = So, it means = that these=20 languages are originally from one common language and one common = group of=20 people 7000 (seven thousand) years ago.

Fourth: (The origin of = the Terms=20 Kurd and Kurdistan)

Notice: The term Kurd has = been=20 evolved from several different forms in several different = languages, as=20 follow:

First: = Karda,=20 Garda and Kardak

1) In the third millennium B.C. the=20 ancient Sumerian people living south of present day Iraq, = called=20 the land of the Ancient Kurds as the land of Karda, and they called the people = Guti.=20

2) In the = Second=20 Millennium B.C. the Babylonians called the ancient Kurds as = Garda, which means brave. = ; =20

3) Also = in the second=20 and first Millennium B.C., the Assyrians called the Ancient Kurds as=20 Kardak, which means=20 brave.

Second: = Kurdok (Kurdokh) (401 = B.C.)

In 401 = B.C. the=20 Greek Historian Xenophon referred to the Ancient = Kurds as=20 Kurdok in his writings.He wrote of the Kurdok following his return = to=20 Greek with the ten thousand soldiers, who had passed through north = of the=20 Zagros Highlands (north of present day Kurdistan) following their=20 expedition in=20 = Mesopotamia. &= nbsp; =20

Third: = Kurdoin=20 (4^th century = B.C.) &nb= sp; &nbs= p; =20

Starting in the=20 Fourth Century B.C. the Greek and later the Roman = Historians=20 began writing the name =93Kurdoin=94 when referring to the land of = the north=20 Zagros Highland.

. Before = the=20 4^th century B.C., the Armenians called their = neighbor, the=20 Ancient Kurds, as Kurdoin.

Fourth: Gurd:

The Persians called the Ancient Kurds as = Gurd, which=20 means brave.

Fifth:=20 Kurd = (7^th=20 Century A.D.)

In = the seventh=20 Century A.D. during the first century of Islam, = the Arab=20 writers called the Zagros Highland people as Kurd, for the first = time in=20 their writings. In the Arabic language, the letter K is used = instead of=20 the letter G.

Sixth:=20 Kurdistan = (12^th=20 Century A.D.)

The = word=20 Kurdistan was first = used by the=20 Saljuk Turk rulers, who ruled the Abbasid Empire and most of the = Zagros=20 Highlands (Kurdistan) in the twelve century, = A.D. Because they used the suffix = =93istan=94 to mean=20 =93the land=94 they came to refer to other nations in the same way = (e.g., the=20 land of the Arabs was referred to as =93Arabistan.=94 So they = called the land=20 of the Kurds as =93Kurdistan=94.

. They = called the=20 Kurdish region in Iran, south of Orumiyah as Kurdistan.

Fifth: (Kurdistan between 550 B.C. and the 20^th Century = A.D.)

Between 550 B.C.=20 (from the fall of the Median Empire) until the 20^th = Century=20 A.D, the Kurds had many = revolts and=20 also many Independent Emarats (Emirates) or states, large and = small=20 throughout Kurdistan, sometimes there have been many Emirates at = the same=20 time.

(Notice: In the Gregorian = calendar,=20 B.C. means the time before the birth of the prophet Isa = (Jesus=20 Christ), and A.D. means the time after the birth of Jesus=20 Christ).

Some regions of Kurdistan Between 550 = B.C. and the 20^th = century A.D., became under the control of = the=20 following foreign powers in the following orders:

1) In 550 B.C., the Achaemenide = Empire=20 controlled most of Kurdistan.

2) In 330 B.C., the Greeks = controlled most of=20 Kurdistan.

3) In 175 B.C., the Armenians = controlled north=20 of Kurdistan.

4) In 69 B.C., the Romans = controlled north of=20 Kurdistan.

5) The Parthians Dynasty in = Persia=20 (Iran), which Controlled south and sometimes north of Kurdistan = and=20 Armenia.

6) Then back and forth between the = Parthians,=20 the Romans and the Armenians.

7) In 228 A.D., the Sasanian Dynasty = in Persia=20 (Iran) controlled most of Kurdistan during most of the time, while = the=20 Romans fought the Sasanians during four Centuries of wars for the = control=20 of north Kurdistan and Armenia, until 640 A.D.

8) In 640 A.D., then Islam = arrived during the rule of the Khalifah (Caliph) Omar.

During the Abbasid Islamic = Empire, which=20 ruled for 508 years between 750 A.D,=20 and 1258 A.D, the = Rulers lost=20 control of many lands including parts of Kurdistan, which led to = the=20 creation of Kurdish Emirates in different parts of Kurdistan = during the=20 centuries.

9) In 1258 A.D. the Mongol = controlled most=20 of Kurdistan, after defeating the Abbasid.

10) The Ottoman Empire and = the=20 Safavid Empire:

In 1514 A.D, the Ottoman Empire and = the newly=20 established Safavid Dynasty in Iran fought each other for the = control of=20 the region of Kurdistan and Iraq.

11) The 1639 A.D. agreement to divide = Kurdistan:

In 1639 as a result of the wars = between the=20 Ottoman Empire and the Safavid, both sides made border agreement, = which=20 divided Kurdistan between them, as follow:

1-Most north and west of Kurdistan = (Present=20 day Kurdistan of Turkey, Iraq and Syria) fell in the hands of the = Ottoman=20 Empire for nearly three Centuries until the end of World War I in = 1918=20 A.D.=20 = &= nbsp; =20

2-And the eastern part of Kurdistan = (Present=20 day Kurdistan of Iran) became under the control of Safavid Rulers = of Iran=20 and other Iranian Rulers that followed them until today.

12) Kurdistan = after the fall=20 of the Ottoman Empire in 1918:

1-The northern part of Kurdistan = became under=20 the control of Turkey.

2-The southern part of Kurdistan = became under=20 the control of Iraq.=20 = &= nbsp; =20 = &= nbsp; =20 = =20

3-The southwest part of north = Kurdistan became=20 under the control of Syria.

Sixth: =20 (Kurdish Emarats or=20 States)

The = word Emarat is=20 called Emirate in the English language.

The = following is=20 eleven independent Emarats (Emirates) of historical Kurdistan out = of many=20 others in Kurdistan:

1) Emarat (Emirate) = Orumiyah:=20 = &= nbsp; =20 Circa=20 727-828 A.D.

The capitol of this = Emirate=20 was the city of Orumiyah, north Kurdistan of Iran.

2) Emarat of=20 = Heth=92bani: &= nbsp; &n= bsp; =20 =20 906-1113 A.D.

This Emirate = controlled the=20 cities of Arbil (Hawler), Orumiyah and some parts around = Mosul.

3) Emarat al-Ayyubiyah (Emirate of=20 Ayyubid): 1260-1492 = A.D.

This = Emarat started in=20 Diyar Bakir after the Mongols ended the Ayyubid dynasty in Syria = in=20 1260.

. = The great leader = (Sultan)=20 Salahaddin or Saladin al-Ayyubi (1137-1193 A.D.), whose name was = Yousif=20 son of Ayyub, founded and ruled the Ayyubid Empire in 1174 = A.D., which was extended = from=20 Tunisia in North Africa to Diyar bakir in Kurdistan of Turkey and = some=20 parts of the Arabian Peninsula. He ruled in the years 1174 =961193 = AD.

4) Emarat=20 Badlis: =20 = &= nbsp; =20 Circa 1182-1596 A.D.

Its Capital was the city of Badlis = (Bitlis) in=20 Kurdistan of Turkey.

5) Emarat=20 = Hakkari: = ; =20 C. 1387-1596 A.D. =20 = =20

Its=20 Capital was the city of Van, east Kurdistan of Turkey.

6) Emarat Bahdinan: =20 = = 1376-1843= A.D. =20 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; =20

Lasted for 467 years.

. Its = Capital was the=20 city of Amadiya, west Kurdistan of = Iraq.=20

. This = Emirate was=20 named Bahdinan after the name of Bahaa=92uddin, who was the father = of the=20 founder of this Emirate. The Region of Bahdinan (Badinan), which = is=20 located west Kurdistan of Iraq, was named after this Emirate. Also = the=20 Kurdish dialect (Northern Kermanji), which is commonly known in = Iraqi=20 Kurdistan as Bahdini, was named after this Emirate.

7) Emarat Baban: &n= bsp; =20 =20 1649-1850 A.D. =

In 1784 A.D. this Emirate founded the = city of=20 Sulaimaniyah in Kurdistan of Iraq and it became its Capital.

8) Emarat Soran: &n= bsp; =20 = 1399-1883 = A.D. =

Lasted = for 484=20 years. Its Capital was = the city=20 of Rawanduz, north Kurdistan of Iraq.

. The Kurdish dialect (Southern = Kermanji),=20 which is commonly known in Iraqi Kurdistan as Sorani, was named = after this=20 Emirate. . The word Soran means Red.

9) Emarat=20 = Ardalan: = ; =20 1169-1900 A.D.

Lasted for = 731 years.=20

. = Its Capital=20 was the city of Senna (Sanandaj) in Kurdistan of Iran.

10) Emarat Butan: =20 = &nb= sp; 1812-1908 A.D.

Its Capital was the city of Jezirah = (Cizre), south=20 Kurdistan of Turkey. The Bader khan Family ruled this Emirate.

11) Emarat Hawraman: =20 =20 1002-1943 A.D.

Lasted for = 941 years.=20

. = It was=20 founded in the Mountainous area east the city of Sulaimaniyah in = Kurdistan=20 of Iraq and Iran.

Seventh: =20 (The Kurdish Language Dialects)

1) Northern = Kermanji:

It is = spoken in=20 Kurdistan of Turkey, Syria, North Kurdistan of Iran, and = West Kurdistan of Iraq.

. The = Northern=20 Kermanji also is commonly known as Bahdini in Iraqi Kurdistan. =

2) Southern Kermanji:

It is = spoken in East=20 and South Kurdistan of Iraq, and in the mid region of Kurdistan of = Iran.=20

. The = Southern=20 Kermanji also is commonly known as Sorani in Iraqi = Kurdistan.

3) Kermanshahi (including=20 Faili):

It is = spoken in South=20 Kurdistan of Iraq, and South=20 Kurdistan of Iran. =

4) Hawramani and=20 Gorani:

It is spoken in the middle part of = eastern=20 Kurdistan of Iraq and the middle part of western Kurdistan of = Iran. Also=20 the Gorani is spoken in one part of West Kurdistan of = Iraq.

5) Zaza:

It is spoken in = Northwest=20 Kurdistan of Turkey.

Eighth: (Religion)

The current major Religions in Kurdistan: =

1) Islam: = The Kurds=20 are predominantly Muslims, the majority are Sunni, and the = Minority is=20 Shi=92a.

2) Christians: They=20 live in different parts of Kurdistan.

3) The Yazidis: They=20 are Kurds, who live mostly west Kurdistan of Iraq=20 in the districts of Sinjar and Shaykhan. Also they live in some = other=20 parts of Kurdistan and = outside of=20 Kurdistan.

Chapter=20 Three:=20 = &= nbsp; =20 (The Kurdish Struggle)

First: (The Kurdish Legitimate=20 = Rights) = ; = =20

1) Do the Kurds form a Nation?

The Kurds = form the=20 third largest ethnic group in the Middle East after the Arabs and = the=20 Turks and they have their own homeland =96 Kurdistan.

. = With=20 Geographically united homeland, common language, culture and = aspiration,=20 the Kurdish people exhibit all the outward manifestations of=20 Nationhood.

.=20 Although they do not possess their own state, legally = and=20 theoretically Iraq has recognized the Kurds as a Nation.

. The right of=20 Self-Determination has become a universally recognized principle = and has=20 brought an end to colonialism

. = The Kurds=20 were promised a state of their own by the 1920 Sevres Peace = Treaty=20 in France, following World War I. Instead, the Kurds, = together with=20 their homeland, were divided amongst Turkey, Iraq and Syria.

. The Sevres Peace Treaty was about = what to do=20 with the Lands that Britain, France and the U.S. conquered from = their=20 defeated adversary, the Ottoman Empire in World War I.

. One of the=20 Sevres Treaty decisions was giving Independence to Kurdistan = (except=20 Kurdistan of Iran, because Iran was not involved in World War=20 I).

. = Britain and=20 France changed their mind about giving Independence to Kurdistan, = and one=20 of the main reasons for that was the discovery of oil in Kurdistan = of=20 Iraq.

2) The reason for the = Kurdish=20 struggle

Since the = end of World=20 War I, the Kurds have revolted several times against the = governments of=20 Turkey, Iran and Iraq, these revolts have occurred because the = ruling=20 regimes in each of these countries have systematically attempted = to=20 destroy the Kurds=92 political, cultural, economic and linguistic = identity.=20

. These=20 Governments have utilized a variety of methods against the Kurds = to=20 achieve their goals, ranging from military and police actions, to = official=20 government discriminatory policies and regulations restricting the = Kurdish=20 people=92s right of free association, speech, movement, as well as = the=20 choice of jobs and residence.

. = The Kurds=20 justly believe that they, like all other nations (many of them = less=20 numerous and less educated) are entitled to Self-Determination = right,=20 however, because of economic ties existing between each part of = Kurdistan=20 and the country it is today a part of, and also because of a long=20 fraternal association between the Kurds and other people they have = shared=20 the country with, today most Kurds in each of the foregoing = countries=20 seek Autonomy or Federalism instead of Independence.

. = Since=20 dictatorial regimes tend to centralize power and to deprive even = the=20 country=92s majority of its rights, So, the Kurds who form a = minority in=20 Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria cannot expect to achieve their goal = without=20 the establishment of a Democratic, truly representative form of = government=20 in these countries

. = So the=20 Kurdish struggle, for their national rights must be accompanied by = a joint=20 struggle with other native democratic forces in each country for = the=20 establishment of Democratic rule for all, and Autonomy = or=20 Federalism for Kurdistan.

Second: =20 (Revolts)

The = following are=20 some of the modern Kurdish revolts, and the dates of the revolts = that have=20 been waged in defense of the Kurdish cultural, political, = economic, social=20 and linguistic rights:

1) Bader=20 = Khan: &n= bsp; &nb= sp; =20 1843-1848 A.D.

Bader Khan = Pasha=20 (1794-1868 A.D.) started the modern struggle for the Kurdish = people=92s=20 Legitimate Rights. His struggle began in 1812. Then he ruled from=20 1815-1848 in the Emarat (Emirate) of Butan, and its Capital = the city of=20 Jezirah in Kurdistan of=20 = Turkey. = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; = ;=20

. In 1843, Bader = Khan revolted=20 against the Ottoman Empire and declared Independence in the = Emirate of=20 Butan and then he = controlled some=20 parts of Kurdistan of Iraq and Iran.

. Bader Khan=20 called all other Kurdish Emirates to unite under larger united = Kurdish=20 state, which led to several years of war with the Ottoman Empire = that=20 ended Bader Khan=92s rule in 1848, and they put him into exile. He = passed=20 away in 1868.

2) Izaddin=20 = Yazdanshir: =20 =20 1853-1855

His = revolt occurred=20 in Kurdistan of Turkey within the Emarat of Butan and spread to = Kurdistan=20 of Iraq. His rule lasted until 1864.

3) Sheikh (Sheik) = Obeidullah=20 al-Nahri: = 1878-1881

His = Revolt occurred=20 in Kurdistan of Turkey and spread to Kurdistan of Iran.

. He = passed a way in=20 1892 in Exile at the city of Medinah in the Hijaz region north of = Mecca.

4) Abdulsalam Barzani =20 =20 1907 =96 1914

He was the first revolutionary Kurdish = leader from=20 the Barzan Region.

. Also he was the spiritual leader = of the=20 Barzan region. .

. Abdulsalam is the brother of = Sheikh Ahmed=20 and Mustafa Barzani.

. He contacted various Kurdish = Leaders in=20 Kurdistan to coordinate and struggle together for the Kurdish = legitimate=20 Rights. In 1914, the Ottoman Rulers hanged him in the city of = Mosul.

5) Sheikh Mahmoud=20 al-Hafeed: =20 1919-1924

He was = the leader of=20 the Revolution, which occurred in Sulaimaniyah, in Kurdistan of=20 Iraq.

. In 1923, = he declared=20 himself as King of Kurdistan of Iraq.

. = He passed a=20 way in 1955. =

6) Simko Agha=20 Shikak: =20 1918-1925

His = revolt occurred=20 in north Kurdistan of Iran, and spread to Kurdistan of = Turkey.

. He was = killed in=20 1930 during a meeting with the Government of Shah Reza concerning = the=20 Kurdish rights after he was promised by the Shah to discuss the = Kurdish=20 legitimate Rights.

7) Sheikh Saeed Piran: =20 =20 = 1925

He started = a major=20 revolt in Kurdistan of Turkey in Diyar Bakir in 1925, which then = spread to=20 other parts of Kurdistan of Turkey. He and other leaders of the = revolt=20 were hanged after the collapse of the revolt.

8)=20 Darsim: =20 = &= nbsp; =20 = &= nbsp; =20 1927

The Darsim = Revolt was=20 led by Sayyed Reza, and started in the city of Darsim (Tunceli) = and spread=20 to the Darsim region between the cities of Erzinjan (Erzincan) and = Elazig=20 in Kurdistan of Turkey.

9) Ararat: =20 = &= nbsp; =20 = &= nbsp; 1927-1930

The Ararat = Revolt was=20 led by Ihsan Nuri Pasha, and started in the Ararat Mountains, then = spread=20 to other regions of Kurdistan of Turkey.

10) Sheikh=20 Ahmed =20 = &= nbsp; =20 1931 =96 1932

He was the spiritual leader of Barzan, also = he was=20 revolutionary Kurdish leader, who like his brother Abdulsalam, = struggled=20 for the Kurdish legitimate Rights. He passed a way in 1968.

11) Mohammed Qazi = and the=20 Republic of Mahabad: = =20 1945-1946

The = Republic of=20 Mahabad was the first Kurdish Republic, which was established in = Kurdistan=20 of Iran on December 15, 1945 and lasted for one year until = December 7 of=20 1946.

. = Its leader=20 was Qazi Mohammed, who became the first President of the Republic = on=20 January 22, 1946.

. He was=20 hanged by the Shah regime after the collapse of the Republic.

12) Mustafa=20 = Barzani = =20 1943 =96 1945

He is the founding father of the modern = Kurdish=20 struggle.

(Some of the = recent=20 Revolutions in Kurdistan of Iraq for Autonomy or=20 Federalism)

First: The September of 1961 Revolution in = Kurdistan of=20 Iraq =

Mustafa Barzani led this revolution.

. This revolution was = halted in=20 1975 after the border agreement between the government of Saddam = in Iraq=20 and the Shah in Iran.

. The banner of this Revolution was = Autonomy for=20 Kurdistan and Democracy for Iraq.

Second: = The=20 May 26^th of 1976 Revolution in Kurdistan of Iraq, which ended in=20 1991. =20

This = Revolution, was=20 also led by Mustafa Barzani and after the 1979 KDP Congress, = Masoud=20 Barzani assumed the leadership of the KDP and the May revolution = for the=20 Kurdish rights.

. After = the Kurdish=20 uprising in Kurdistan of Iraq in 1991 after the Gulf War, the = Kurdish=20 national Assembly was established and adopted Federalism for = Kurdistan of=20 Iraq.

Notice:

Also there have been several different other = Revolts=20 for the Kurdish legitimate Rights that occurred in different parts = of=20 Kurdistan between the 1970=92s and the 1990=92s.

Third: = (The Kurdish = Flag)

The = Kurdish flag has=20 four=20 = colors: = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; =20

1) Red =20 2) White 3)=20 Green 4) Yellow or = Golden

The Kurdish flag is = made up=20 of three Rectangular=20 colors, the Red=20 color is on top, the white color is in the middle, the green color = at the=20 bottom and the yellow or golden sun is in the middle of the white = color,=20 with its 21 rays shining through the red and green colors. =

. = The 21 rays of the Sun mean the March 21 = of=20 Nawrooz Feast and the beginning of the Kurdish calendar = year.

Red: It means the = struggle=20 for freedom and Rights.

White: It means peaceful = people.=20

Green: It means the land of = Kurdistan with its=20 natural greenery and agriculture.

Yellow or=20 Golden: The=20 yellow color comes from the color of the Sun.

. The sun was = the symbol=20 of the ancient Kurds of the Zagros Highlands, as the symbol of = life or=20 light.

History of the=20 Flag:

The Kurdish = national Flag was=20 made for the first time by a Kurdish party called the Khoyboun = party or=20 the Independence party, in Kurdistan of Turkey during World War=20 I.

. In 1920 they = presented=20 this Flag to the International peace conference in Paris, which = devised a=20 plan for the Kurdish independence as part of the Treaty of Sevres = with the=20 Ottoman Empire.=20 = &= nbsp; =20

. They also used this Flag = during the=20 Kurdish Revolts in Kurdistan of Turkey between 1927-1932.

. = In 1946 the = Republic of=20 Mahabad adopted this Flag.

. = Also the Kurdish = Flag have=20 been adopted by various Kurdish parties in Kurdistan, including = the=20 Kurdish national assembly, in May of 1992 in Iraqi Kurdistan. =

Fourth:=20 = (Nawrooz=20 Feast)

Nawrooz (or =93Newroz=94) means =93new = day=94, which=20 the Kurds recognize as occurring on the first day of spring on = March=20 21 of every year, and is considered as the first day of the = Kurdish=20 calendar year, and this calendar date back to 700 B.C., to the = beginning=20 of the Media kingdom.

. The=20 year 2004 AD is=20 equal to 2704 in the Kurdish Calendar.

. The = reason for=20 using 700 B.C. as a beginning for the Kurdish = calendar=20 because the modern Kurdish people consider themselves as the = descendants=20 of the Medes and the Kurdish language was originated from the Mede = language.

. The Kurds and=20 some other nations in the area have been celebrating the Feast of=20 Nawrooz.

. The Nawrooz=20 feast started in the ancient times after the people of the Zagros = Highland=20 Revolted against their tyrant king called =93Al = Zahak.=94

. The leader of the revolt against the = tyrant=20 king was a Blacksmith named =93Kawa.=94

. The = people of the=20 Zagros who revolted against the tyrant King used the Fire on top = of the=20 high hills and mountains as a secret signal to each other to = coordinate=20 the timing of the revolt together at the same time against the = tyrant=20 King. = = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; = ; = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; =20

. = Then the people = began=20 celebrating Nawrooz every year by lighting Fire on top of the = hills and=20 Mountains as a sign of victory and freedom on this occasion.=20 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; =20

&= nbsp; =20

&nbs= p; = ;=20 Fifth: (Kurdish=20 Literature)

Sharaf-Khan Badlisi:=20 = 1542-1602 A.D.

He = was=20 considered as the first person to write a book about the history = of the=20 Kurdish people.

. His=20 famous book was called Sharaf-Naama, which he wrote it in = 1596=20 A.D.

. = He was Amir=20 (prince) of Badlis in Kurdistan of Turkey.

. He=20 tried very hard to unite the Kurdish Emarats (Emirates) or = Independent=20 states and the small districts together in a Large and strong = United=20 Kurdish State in Kurdistan.

Ahmedi=20 = Khaney: = =20 1651-1707 A.D.

He = is the most=20 famous Kurdish Poet and Literary, he wrote the most famous story = in the=20 Kurdish Literature called =93 the story of Mem-o-Zin=94, = which is a=20 love story equal to =93Romeo and Juliet=94 story in the west or = =93Majnoon and=20 Layla=94 story in the Arabic Literature.

. = In the story,=20 Mem is the man and Zin is the Girl.

. = Also he wrote=20 Kurdish-Arabic dictionary called Nubahar, and wrote Poems = in the=20 Kurdish, Arabic, Turkish and Persian Languages. He lived in = Kurdistan of=20 Turkey.

. = In his=20 Literature he called for the Kurdish unity in a larger united=20 Kurdistan.

Sixth: =20 (Brief biography of Mustafa Barzani=92s=20 = struggle) &nbs= p; =20

Also he = was known as=20 Mulla Mustafa al-Barzani.

. = Mustafa=20 Barzani (1903-1979 A.D.) was=20 considered as the great leader and founding father of the modern = struggle=20 for the Kurdish people=92s freedom and legitimate Rights. =20 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; = ; =20

. = He struggled=20 for over fifty years.

.=20 He was very talented leader.

. = His father=20 was Sheikh Mohammed, who was the spiritual leader of Barzan = between=20 1872-1903.

Mustafa Barzani=92s struggle as = follow:

1) = In 1919 his brother Sheikh Ahmed sent = him to=20 Sulaimaniyah as a leader of a group of Freedom Fighters to help = Sheikh=20 Mahmoud al-Hafeed=92s Revolution in Kurdistan of Iraq for the = Kurdish=20 Freedom and legitimate Rights.

Notice: Since=20 1961, the freedom Fighters=92 name, were changed to Pesh Mergas, = which means=20 those who face death.

2) In 1931-1932 during the = first major=20 Barzan Revolt in Kurdistan of Iraq for the Kurdish Rights, his = brother=20 Sheikh Ahmed was the leader, and he was the commander of the = Freedom=20 Fighters against the government of Iraq (King Faisal I) and the = British.=20 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; = ; = =20

3) In 1943-1945, he led the = second=20 major Barzan Revolt in Kurdistan of Iraq. &nb= sp; &nbs= p; =20

4) In 1945-1946 at the Republic of Mahabad:=20 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; = ; =20

= Mustafa Barzani=20 brought several thousands Iraqi Kurds from Kurdistan of Iraq, to = help=20 defend the new Kurdish Republic in Kurdistan of Iran, then he = joined the=20 Republic of Mahabad under the leadership of Qazi Mohammed, and was = appointed as the chief commander of the Armed Forces of the = Republic, also=20 he was one of four people given the rank of General.

. = Mustafa=20 Barzani helped in defending the republic by defeating the Shah = regime=92s=20 Army during several battles in 1946. =20

. = On December=20 1946, the Republic of Mahabad collapsed after have been attacked = by the=20 Iranian Army during the Shah Rule.

5) Mustafa Barzani=92s legend march to the = Soviet Union in=20 1947:

The Story in summery as follow:

In December of 1946, after the = collapse=20 of Republic of Mahabad, the Kurds of Iraq (who were helping the = Republic=20 of Mahabad at that time) became under the attack of the Iranian = army, and=20 the threat of more attacks if they do not surrender to the Shah = government=20 of Iran or go back to Iraq where the Iraqi Army was waiting for = them.

The March decision:

In = 1947 after months of negotiations, = Mustafa=20 Barzani refused to surrender to either Iran or Iraq.=20 = &= nbsp; =20

. = He gathered=20 the Freedom Fighters and told them that the future is uncertain = under=20 these circumstances, and that he decided to march to the Soviet = Union.=20 = &= nbsp; =20

. He also=20 told them that he is not certain about what is going to happen to = him or=20 to any body who wants to come with him when they reach the Soviet = Union,=20 and he does not know how long they are going to stay in the Soviet = Union.=20 = &= nbsp; =20 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; =20

= . Also=20 Mustafa Barzani said that his main purpose of going to the = Soviet=20 Union is to keep the hope alive for the Kurdish future, for = their=20 Legitimate Rights.=20 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; = ; =20

. He also=20 told them that they might face many armies on their way to the = Soviet=20 Union.

. = Then=20 560 of the best freedom fighters joined=20 him.

. = There was=20 several thousands Kurds from Iraq including women and=20 children, also it was winter season and snow and they were = around the=20 border area and under the threat of attack from the Iranian Army. = Under=20 these conditions, Shaikh Ahmed (brother of Mustafa Barzani) = decided to=20 take back all the Iraqi Kurds who did not join Mustafa Barzani = (including=20 women and children) to Iraq and surrender to the Iraqi government. =

= . =20 The 560 of the best freedom fighters who joined Mustafa = Barzani in=20 his march to the uncertain future, marched toward the Soviet Union = from=20 May 27-June 10 of 1947.

. = At the=20 beginning of the March, the British Royal Air Force bombed their = positions=20 and the Iraqi Army tried to surround them from three sides and = they worked=20 with the Armies of Turkey and Iran to prevent them from going to = the=20 Soviet Union, but Mustafa Barzani and his fighters managed to = cross the=20 borders and march through the Armies of Iraq, Turkey and Iran, and = they=20 fought the Iranian Army to cross the border to the Soviet Union, = and this=20 March became Legend.

. = The distance=20 of the March was 355 Kilometers from the border of Iraq, = and they=20 finished it in 14=20 days.

. Then=20 they entered the Soviet Union and stayed there for about 11 years = and 4=20 months. =

. = In=20 July of 1958, a new government (Abdul- Karim Qasim=92s = government)=20 was established in Iraq and the Monarchy was overthrown, then on = October=20 16, 1958 Mustafa Barzani returned to Iraq, and on April = 7^th of=20 1959 about 755 people, including the former freedom fighters, = their wives=20 and children, returned back to=20 = Iraq. &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; = ; =20

6) Leading the September1961=20 = Revolution: &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; = ; = =20

During = this Revolution=20 there have been several cease fires including the four years peace = treaty=20 for Autonomy from March 11,1970 to March 11, 1974.which was called = the=20 Declaration of March (Bayan=20 = Adar). &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p;=20 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; =20

7) = In May 26,=20 1976 Mustafa Barzani led another Revolution in Kurdistan of = Iraq.

8) In=20 summer of 1976, he traveled to the U.S. from Iran for the = treatment of=20 = cancer. = &= nbsp;

9) On=20 March 1, 1979, Mulla Mustafa al-Barzani passed away at George Town = University hospital, Washington D.C. in the U.S.A. and he was = buried in=20 the region of Sheno in Kurdistan of Iran, then after the uprising = in 1991=20 and the establishment of Federalism in Kurdistan of Iraq, his = remains were=20 moved to his hometown Barzan and was buried=20 = there. &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; =20 = &= nbsp;=20

Masoud=20 Barzani:

He = was born on=20 August 16, 1946 at the city of Mahabad in Kurdistan of Iran.

. = He is the son=20 of Mustafa Barzani

. = In=20 1979, he was elected at the 9^th congress of the = Kurdistan=20 Democratic Party (KDP) of Iraq, as the new president of the KDP of = = Iraq. &n= bsp; =20

. = He also=20 continued leading the May 26 Revolution from 1979 until the = Kurdish=20 uprising in March of 1991 after the Iraqi government invasion of = Kuwait=20 and the Gulf war that followed it.=20 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; = ; = =20

. = In=20 1991, he helped establish Autonomous and Federated Kurdish = government in=20 Kurdistan of Iraq after the Kurdish uprising, under the protection = of the=20 Allies (The U.S., Britain and France) and the U.N. in the no fly = zone.

. In = May of=20 1992, he received the majority of the vote during the first free = election=20 in Kurdistan of Iraq for electing the leader of the Kurdistan = liberation=20 movement. =20 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; =20 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p;