At the beginning of January 1988, a meeting was held at Branch 1 of the Kurdistan Democratic Party in the Badinan region regarding the execution of an activity, under the supervision of Ramzi Shaban, the branch responsible, along with the heads of the committees of the districts of Amedi, Sheikhan, Zakho, Gulan, Duhok, and Akre. During that period, the leader Masoud Barzani the leader of the revolution was within the border of Branch One. In that meeting, opinions were discussed to determine the location of the activity. By majority vote, the Dereluk and Sheladze area was designated as the place where the attack would be carried out([1]), it is worth mentioning that during the era of the Gulan Revolution the Peshmerga Forces were organized within the framework of branches, districts, and organizations([2]). 

 The plan for the attack was for the Peshmerga Forces of all six districts, along with a force belonging to the branch, to attack from two axes. The first axis was to assault Dereluk, where two regiments of mercenaries (Jash) were located, as well as striking the outposts of Sari Amedi and cutting off the main road of Dereluk. The second axis was to strike the outposts of Nazari Dereluk and Dashta Ze in the Akre area, where 20 outposts were dominating the mercenary regiments in Dereluk for their protection, and the Sheladze complex, which was a base for mercenary gunmen, was to be shelled with rocket launchers to distract them. The first axis was under the supervision of Ramzi Shaban and Shukri Nerwayi and Tamer Kocher, and the forces of the districts of Amedi, Gulan, Zakho, and a force from the branch headquarters were assigned to it. The second axis was under the responsibility of Shimal Zebari and the heads of the districts and organizations, and it was assigned to the forces of the districts of Sheikhan, Akre, and Duhok([3]).           

The Peshmerga Forces of Kurdistan, according to the planned strategy, at 9:30 on the night of 11 to 12 January 1988, launched a large and widespread attack on the trenches, outposts, bases, and headquarters of the army and the party and armed institutions of the Ba'ath regime on both designated axes. In that attack, the Peshmerga Forces were able to achieve a great victory, such as seizing 112 trenches and bases of the government forces in Nazar, Sari Qolke, Kane, Dereluk, and Sheladze, and also inflicted heavy losses on the Iraqi forces([4]).

After seizing the surrounding trenches and outposts, the Peshmerga Forces advanced until they entered the center of the Dereluk sub-district and took control of it. All the institutions of the sub-district fell into the hands of the Peshmerga, such as the headquarters of the regiments of Ahmed Kalhi Rekani and Ali Abo, the leaders of the mercenary gunmen, as well as the Ba'ath Party headquarters, the security and intelligence organization, the police station, and the sub-district office. Although some of the mercenary gunmen belonging to the intelligence agency resisted, they could not hold out for a long time.

 Despite the cold and winter frost, the fighting and clashes continued until the 13 of the month. During those few days, the Peshmerga were able to fully take control of Dereluk, meaning all government institutions and facilities fell under the control of the Peshmerga. Also, both bridges between Amedi and Dereluk-Sheladze were controlled by the Peshmerga Forces.

On the day of 14 January 1988, due to heavy snowfall and the creation of obstacles and great difficulty, and besides that, the Peshmerga attack had achieved all its objectives, it was decided to withdraw with a well-organized military plan so that they would have the preparation to repel any possible counter-attack. For that, during the withdrawal, they held the important and strategic locations([5]).

Results of the battle:

 Seizing 4 regiments of the Iraqi Army and the headquarters of the regiments of Ali Abo, Mohammed Kalhe Rekani, and Kazim Omar Khan, more than 550 government gunmen were taken prisoner, more than 200 soldiers and a large number of gunmen were killed, 53 members of the Ba'ath security and intelligence were killed inside Dereluk, also 17 various military vehicles were burned, and more than five attacks by government forces were repelled. The Peshmerga Forces in that battle had 12 Martyrs and 27 wounded.

 Gains of the revolution:

 The gains of the revolution in that battle consisted of seizing 2 armored vehicles and 3 14.5mm and 12.5mm DShK machine guns and more than 1000 pieces of light Kalashnikov weapons and 47 Brno weapons, 10 (PKC), 20 (RPG), 9 (RPK), several 60mm and 120mm mortars, a large number of mortar shells, 3 radio sets, along with a large amount of military equipment and supplies([6]). 

Government reaction:

After the attack, the government poured its hatred on that region in such a way that, for revenge, it banned food and supplies to the villages. In addition to that, they were constantly shelled with long-range artillery and aircraft([7]).

Sources:          
  1.   Shimal Zebari, Some Hidden Truths in the Gulan Revolution, First Edition, Rojhalat Printing House, Erbil – 2015.
  2. Masoud Barzani: Barzani and the Kurdish Liberation Movement, Volume Four, 1975-1990 Gulan Revolution, Part Two, First Edition, Roksana Printing House, 2021.
  3. Ghazi Adil Gardi, A Peshmerga in the Service of the Barzani Path, Haji Birokhi, Volume Two, Second Edition, Turkey- 2021.

[1] - Shimal Zebari، Some Hidden Truths in the Gulan Revolution, First Edition, Rojhalat Printing House, Erbil – 2015, p. 403.

[2] - Ghazi Adil Gardi، A Peshmerga in the Service of the Barzani Path, Haji Birokhi, Volume Two, Second Edition, Turkey- 2021, p., p. 269.  

[3] - Shimal Zebari، Same source, p. 405.

[4] - Masoud Barzani، Barzani and the Kurdish Liberation Movement, Volume Four, 1975-1990 Gulan Revolution, Part Two, First Edition, Roksana Printing House, 2021, p. 78.

[5] - Masoud Barzani، Same source, p.

[6] - Masoud Barzani، Same source, p. 79; Shimal Zebari: Same source, p. 411-212.

[7] - Shimal Zebari، Same source, p. 414