Loading ...34th Anniversary of the Kurdish Migration for Freedom
Kurdish Men. Source: Wikimedia Commons
By: Jack Moran / Arab America Contributing Writer
On March 5th, 1991 nearly two million Iraqis, 1.5 million of them Kurds, escaped from strife-torn cities in Iraq to the mountains along the northern borders, into the southern marshes, and to Turkey and Iran. Saddam Hussein’s oppressive regime turned cities into piles of rubble and displaced millions of civilians into neighboring countries. According to the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees, by April 6, about 750,000 Iraqi Kurds had fled to Iran and 280,000 to Turkey, with 300,000 more gathered at the Turkish border. The approach towards refugee immigration was met with a different approach by Iran and Turkey. Iran had opened its borders to the refugees, while Turkey first closed its borders and only opened its borders following international pressure and assurances of financial help to cope with the refugees.
The worldwide Kurdish community marks the 34th anniversary of one of the most influential moments in history, the mass immigration of Kurds from Iraq due to the uprisings of rebel forces. This pivotal moment stands as a beacon of the Kurds’ determination to seek freedom from an oppressive regime. On March 5, the Kurds honor individuals who dared to stand against the tyranny and oppression they faced in Iraq, leaving a lasting mark on the Kurdish nation. These events serve as a reminder of the courage displayed by the Kurdish nation in the face of adversity. Rising up against the injustices perpetrated by the defunct Baathist regime, Kurds from all walks of life united in a courageous struggle for liberation.
According to the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees, within months, Kurds reclaimed swathes of southern Kurdistan, shaking the foundations of tyranny. However, the liberation Kurds felt was short lived. After the defeat of the Baathist regime in Kuwait, rebel forces turned their sights on southern Kurdistan, mobilizing quickly and unleashing waves of violence and destruction. Much like we see in Gaza today, numerous tanks rumbled through Kurdish cities, artillery shells rained down on villages, and soldiers descended upon civilians with ruthless brutality.
Presented with such brutal force, millions of Kurds fled and sought refuge near the Turkey-Iran border. Families traversed rough terrain, crossed the Taurus and Zagros mountain ranges and faced constant threat throughout their journey. However, their spirit was never broken as they searched for new life and liberation. American news stations broadcasted pictures of this mass migration and shed light on the conditions that millions of Kurds faced. Public outcry surfaced in numerous countries, culminating in the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 688, which established a safe zone for Kurds in Iraqi Kurdistan, north of the 36th parallel.
After the UN stepped in to mediate a solution for the Kurdish nation, millions of displaced refugees slowly made their way back to their home countries. These events brought light into the struggle that the Kurds faced and paved the way for the establishment of the Kurdistan Regional Government and Parliament, marking a chapter that most Kurds thought they would never see. These brave acts deserve to be commemorated and will forever leave a lasting legacy on the resilience of the Kurdish nation. Over 30 years later, the Kurds still don’t have a defined country, making them one of the biggest groups of stateless people. They currently reside in present day Syria, Iraq, and Turkey.
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