On a day like today, October 16, 2017, the Iraqi army, with the assistance of PUK leaders, gained control over the city of Kirkuk, an event commonly referred to as the “Kirkuk Fall” or the “October 16 Events”. Regrettably, this day has been marked as one of the darkest in Kurdish history.
In this news blog, we will delve into the events that transpired during that time, shedding light on why the Kurds lost their hope for independence.
After Iraq regained control of Mosul from ISIS, they began deploying a significant number of troops to Hawija, a town southwest of Kirkuk. The Kurdish leaders expressed doubts about this massive deployment and perceived it as an indication that Iraq’s intentions were focused on gaining control over Kirkuk using these sizable forces. However, this concern was not taken seriously as Kurdish leaders believed that Iraq would not attack the Peshmerga forces, who had been assisting Iraq in regaining control of Mosul.
However, with the approval of Kurdish parties, including PUK, Masoud Barzani made the decision to hold a referendum for independence. Remarkably, 93% of the Kurdish people participated in the vote and expressed their support for independence.
With the assistance of Iran and Turkey, Iraq issued a threat to the Kurdish Peshmerga, warning them of an impending attack on Kirkuk and demanding their withdrawal. In response, on October 14, officials from PUK and PDK, including Barzani, Lahor Talabani, and Bafeel Talabani, convened in Dukan and collectively decided to take a stand. They resolved to fight back and defend Kirkuk against the Iraqi army’s advance.
Fall of Kirkuk and October 16 events
Following their meeting with Barzani, on Saturday, October 14, Bafel Talabani discreetly instructed the forces affiliated with his party to withdraw from the areas under their control. This action was in compliance with a 48-hour ultimatum imposed by the Iraqi government, as confirmed by sources within the PUK’s security forces. Some of these forces had even commenced their withdrawal before the stipulated deadline.
Based on statements from certain PUK officials, it was claimed that the Iranians made promises to the then-leaders of PUK. These assurances allegedly involved assisting them in gaining control over Erbil and completely eliminating their internal rivals within PUK, namely Kosrat Rasul Ali and Mulla Bakhtyar. As a condition, the Iranians requested that the PUK leaders withdraw from the front lines and allow the Iraqi forces to assume their positions. According to certain sources, it is indicated that immediately after their meeting with Barzani, Lahur Sheikh Jangi and Bafeel Talabani held a clandestine meeting with Qasim Sulaimani and other high-ranking members of the Quds Army in Laylan town. Allegedly, during this meeting, an agreement was signed with the Iranians. Immediately after the signing of the agreement, they reportedly ordered their Peshmerga forces to withdraw from the Khurmato front, thereby allowing Iranian-backed militants to further advance into Kirkuk.
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On October 16, at 00:00, Iraqi forces initiated an attack on the Peshmergas. Following approximately thirty minutes of intense fighting, PUK-affiliated Peshmergas and Counter Terror forces made the decision to abandon their positions and relocate their tanks and military equipment to Sulimani as They already had agreed to do so . This left behind the forces of Kosrat Rasul Ali, who subsequently came under attack and suffered the loss of 35 PUK Peshmergas.After the PUK Peshmerga withdrew, a gap emerged in the Peshmerga lines stretching from Shingal to Khanaqeen. In the morning of October 16, the PDK Peshmerga made an attempt to regroup and defend the western front of Kirkuk.
However, PUK counter forces issued a threat that if the PDK Peshmerga fought against the Iraqis, they would be attacked from behind. The leader of the PDK became aware of the betrayal and received information indicating that both the Iraqis and the PUK had intentions to target Erbil as well.
Prdê Battle
In order to safeguard Erbil, the PDK and other pro-independence Peshmergas made the decision to withdraw from the western front of Kirkuk and Makhmur. They strategically relocated their front lines to Prdê and awaited potential attacks from the Iraqi forces. This move was done in an effort to protect the capital city and ensure the safety of their positions in the face of the evolving situation.Following the takeover of Kirkuk by Iraq, an estimated 200,000 Kurds were displaced and sought refuge in Erbil, leading to a significant humanitarian crisis.
Parallel to this, on October 20, a formidable coalition consisting of the Iraqi army, Iranian-backed forces, Al Quds army, Hizbullah militants, and Turkish military advisors launched a fierce assault against the PDK and other pro-independence Peshmergas. This formidable attack utilized advanced weaponry, including M16 Abrams tanks. The primary objective of this offensive was to seize control of Erbil and effectively dismantle the Kurdistan government, aiming for its complete elimination.
The PDK Peshmerga and other pro-independence Peshmerga forces exhibited tremendous courage and resilience, launching a valiant counteroffensive against the advancing Iraqi forces. They successfully halted the Iraqi advance and inflicted significant casualties, resulting in the deaths of approximately 200 soldiers, including 20 Iranians and five Turkish advisors. Furthermore, the Peshmerga forces managed to cause heavy losses to the Iraqi side and successfully destroyed 16 M Abrams tanks, significantly weakening the enemy’s armored capabilities. Their resolute efforts contributed to a formidable defense and showcased the strength and determination of the Peshmerga forces.
Peshmerga victory and end of October 16 “Fall of Kirkuk”
The Peshmerga’s resilient defense and ultimate victory proved to be a turning point, leading to the withdrawal of Iraqi forces and the abandonment of their plans following the events of October 16 and the fall of Kirkuk. The Peshmerga’s tenacity and success on the battlefield played a significant role in discouraging the Iraqi forces and forcing them to reconsider their aggressive stance. This triumph not only safeguarded the territorial integrity of the Kurdish region but also created a strategic advantage, instilling a sense of optimism and resilience within the Kurdish population.
Iran-Iraq-PUK agreement
On October 16, when the Peshmarga forces withdrew from Kirkuk and other disputed territories.Bafel Talabani disclosed that the agreement to leave their positions for Iraq, signed by 38 members of the PUK leadership committee regarding Kirkuk. According to him, this agreement dates back to October 14.
As per the agreement, a joint military leadership would in Kirkuk province, comprising representatives from the US forces, the Peshmerga, and the Iraqi army.Additionally, the agreement stipulated that Iraq would take responsibility for paying the salaries and budget of Sulaymaniyah province, effectively separating it from the Kurdistan region.
Despite the agreement, the terms were not implemented as expected. Iraq strategically seized control of Kirkuk from the PUK and appointed an Arab governor, resulting in the PUK becoming the most significant loser of this betrayal. This agreement with Iran and Iraq marked a dark and treacherous chapter in their history, causing the PUK to lose its influence and support throughout Kurdistan.
