Battle of Aqra Dagh

Battle of Aqra Dagh
Part of Surchi Revolt
Date October 27, 1920 [1] Location Aqra, Zab River, Iraq Result Assyrian victory Kurds flee to Sharwaneh Mezin Kurdish villages looted [2]
Belligerents
Assyrian Levies	Kurdish Tribesmen Zebari tribesmen Barzani tribesmen Sherwani tribesmen
Commanders and leaders
Agha Petros Malik Khoshaba	Faris Agha [3] Ahmed Barzani [3]
Strength
4,000–6,000	3 tribes

The Battle of Aqra Dagh, which took place on 27 October 1920, refers to the Assyrian advance into the Aqra mountains toward the Zab river, during which a Kurdish resistance attempt failed. ^{[4] [2] [5] [3] [6] [7]} The Assyrian force, numbering between 4,000 ^[8] and 6,000 men, ^[9] and led by Agha Petros and Malik Khoshaba, was marching through northern Iraq at the time. ^[10]

Background

Main article: Surchi Revolt

The Kurdish rebellions had all previously been defeated in northern Iraq, but the Surchi Kurds of Aqra began an uprising in 1919. ^[11]

In 27 October 1920, Assyrian forces led by Agha Petros and Malik Khoshaba marched on the Kurds of Aqra in order to occupy the lands, but were met with resistance while crossing Aqra Dagh and the Zab river.

The Assyrians had advanced into northern Iraq with the goal of occupying the region and suppressing rebellions, ^[10] with the aim to establish a potential independent state. This effort was arranged by Agha Petros and British officer Colonel Colin Owen amongst others. ^[4]

Battle

Upon reaching the mountains behind Aqra, the Assyrians confronted the enemy and engaged in fierce battle. The Assyrian advance was firm but met resistance, especially upon reaching the Zab River. The Zaibari Kurds assembled in full force, managing to halt the Assyrians for several days, due to the obstacle of the river.

In order to overcome this challenge, the Assyrians constructed small boats (kalaks) using goatskin. At night, a part of the Assyrian army crossed the river undetected. At dawn, they launched a surprise attack, leading to enemy trenches under heavy machine-gun fire.

During this attack, three notable Assyrian fighters—Jejji Easho of Beillata, Israel Benyamin of Upper Tyareh, and Khiu of Lagippa—were killed. These warriors, described as giants and valiant fighters, played a crucial role in opening the way for the Assyrian advance near the village of Billeh. Their efforts forced the enemy into retreat.

A heated battle took place, with heavy casualties on both sides as the Assyrians took control of the enemy's trenches. Eventually, the Kurdish forces fled towards Sharwaneh Mezin, leading to the Assyrians’ victory in this engagement. ^[4]

Aftermath

The Kurds retreated to Sharwaneh Mezin, clearing the way for the Assyrians to reach the Zab River, cross it, and continue their advance to occupy additional territory. ^[4] The Assyrians looted Kurdish villages who had no involvement in the conflict, and stole their goods. ^[12]

See also

• Barzani (tribe)
• Assyrian Levies
• Agha Petros
• Malik Khoshaba

References

1. Office, Great Britain Colonial. Report to the Council of the League of Nations on the Administration of 'Iraq. p. 104.
2. Emhardt, William Chauncey (2013). The Oldest Christian People A Brief Account of the History and Traditions of the Assyrian People and the Fateful History of the Nestorian Church. Wipf & Stock Publishers. p. 116. ISBN   978-1-62032-675-6.
3. Office, Great Britain Colonial. Report to the Council of the League of Nations on the Administration of 'Iraq. p. 105.
4. Ismail, Yaqou D'Malik (1964-01-01). Assyrians and Two World Wars: Assyrians from 1914 to 1945. Ramon Michael.
5. Lukitz, Liora (1995). Iraq : the search for national identity. p. 25.
6. Ayabakan, Levent (2015). Kurdish-Nestorian Relations and Agha Petros's "Autonomous Assyrian State Project" (in Turkish). Sosyal ve Kültürel Araştırmalar Dergisi.
7. Yonan, Gabriele (1978). Assyrer heute: Kultur, Sprache, Nationalbewegung der aramäisch sprechenden Christen im Nahen Osten. Verfolgung und Exil. pp. 54–55.
8. Office, Great Britain Colonial. Report to the Council of the League of Nations on the Administration of 'Iraq. pp. 104–105.
9. R S Stafford. The Tragedy Of The Assyrians. p. 32.
10. Brigadier J Gilbert Browne (1932). Iraq Levies 1915-1932 [1932].
11. Wilson, Sir Arnold Talbot (1931). Mesopotamia, 1917-1920: A Clash of Loyalties; a Personal and Historical Record. H. Milford. p. 291.
12. Emhardt, William Chauncey (2013). The Oldest Christian People A Brief Account of the History and Traditions of the Assyrian People and the Fateful History of the Nestorian Church. Wipf & Stock Publishers. p. 116. ISBN   978-1-62032-675-6.