Draft:1991 South Kurdistan uprisings

1991 South Kurdistan Uprisings
Part of the aftermath of the Gulf War

The 1991 South Kurdistan uprisings were a series of coordinated rebellions by Kurdish groups against Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq. The uprisings took place in the aftermath of the Gulf War, beginning in March 1991 and lasting until April 1991. .

Background
The uprisings were fueled by the widespread perception that the Iraqi regime had become vulnerable following its defeat in the Gulf War and the preceding Iran–Iraq War. The Kurds, having faced significant repression under Saddam's regime, saw an opportunity to push for autonomy and greater rights.

Initial Uprisings
The Kurdish uprising began on March 5, 1991, in the town of Ranya. Within ten days, Kurdish forces, including the Peshmerga from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), along with other smaller groups, had taken control of most cities in northern Iraq except for Kirkuk and Mosul.

The defection of Kurdish militias, known as jash, who were initially recruited by the government, significantly bolstered the rebellion. In cities like Sulaymaniyah, rebels besieged and captured key government installations, including the regional headquarters of the Directorate of General Security.

Government Response
Saddam Hussein's regime responded with brutal force. The Iraqi government used helicopter gunships and artillery to suppress the uprisings. In the south, reports of chemical warfare were investigated, but the UN did not find conclusive evidence of chemical weapons use, though it did not rule out the possibility of phosgene gas.

Aftermath
By the end of March, the government had largely quelled the uprisings in the south, but the Kurdish rebellion continued for a few more days. Government forces retook major Kurdish cities, including Kirkuk, Duhok, and Erbil, by early April.

Despite the suppression of the uprisings, the conflict led to significant changes. The Kurdish region eventually gained de facto autonomy. The establishment of the Kurdistan Regional Government and the creation of no-fly zones over northern Iraq by the United States and its allies were pivotal outcomes of the uprisings.

Casualties and Displacement
The conflict resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people, with many more displaced. The Iraqi government carried out mass reprisals against civilians and destroyed many historical and religious sites in retaliation. Mass graves have since been uncovered, highlighting the scale of the atrocities committed during the uprisings

Legacy
The 1991 South Kurdistan uprisings are remembered as a significant moment in Kurdish history, marking a turning point in their struggle for autonomy. The international community's intervention, although limited, helped shape the post-uprising political landscape in South Kurdistan.