Ba'ath Regime's Documents Narrate KDP's August 31 Treachery

Reports 11:37 AM - 2024-08-31

Ba'ath Regime's documents regarding August 31

Following the Kurdistan Democratic Party's (KDP) massive betrayal of the Kurdistan Region's new experience, the people, and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), hundreds of people lost their lives, were injured, and went missing on August 31. Documents from the Ba'ath government reveal some of the ugly aspects of the KDP's significant treachery. 

 

Iraqi forces inside Erbil

An intelligence document from the Ba'ath government specifies that several exceptional events took place on September 1st, 1996. Iraqi military forces took over the 60-meter road spanning from Ain Kawa in the northern region to the silo area in the southern region. "They have been directed by KDP forces and are currently en route to Koya," the document states. This document provides evidence of the occupation of Erbil by the military of the Ba'ath regime.

 

Theft and robbery

Ba'athist records on the events in Erbil on August 31 show that armed groups supporting Massoud Barzani conducted looting activities targeting PUK headquarters, governmental institutions, as well as the neighbourhoods, and residences of PUK members in Erbil. According to the records, Erbil displayed a complete absence of any movement, along with a notable prevalence of fear and anxiety throughout the city.

 

Constructing a defensive line 

Documents from the Iraqi army intelligence disclose some exclusive details on the August 31 treachery. The document stated that some PUK commanders have chosen to remain in Erbil for self-defence, while others have constructed a defensive line in Degala and around Koya to prevent potential attacks. Furthermore, it is said that the PUK forces have demonstrated outstanding performance after many years in this defensive role. 

 

Incompetence among Barzani's forces 

The Barzani's armed groups are mentioned in one of the Military Intelligence Directorate's documents, stating: "As of September 1, 1996, the efforts of Massoud Barzani's armed groups in clearing the neighbourhoods and regions of Erbil have not met the necessary standards, despite the establishment of our military presence in Erbil. This demonstrates how poorly organised these forces are, which gives us a strong reason to have a strategy in place to move our forces back to where they were before." This demonstrates how the KDP could not have advanced without the assistance of the Ba'ath tanks. 

 

Unusual activities between the Republican Guard and Barzani's armed groups 

In the course of the Iraqi Republican Guard forces' occupation of Erbil on August 31, under the guidance of the KDP, Ba'athist records reveal instances of irregular movement and actions between their forces and the armed groups led by Massoud Barzani. Subsequently, it was disclosed that these forces engaged in looting and stealing Erbil's residents. 

 

International and humanitarian organisations' position

According to the documents of the Baathist government on August 31, 1996, "Humanitarian organisations and United Nations offices were issuing instructions to transfer their paperwork and equipment from Erbil to other regions." The offices of these organisations documented instances of harassment and assaults directed toward their offices and staff.



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