Battle of Ain Sifni

Battle of Haji Omran (1997)
Part of Kurdish Civil War
Date 1 – 5 June 1997 Location Haji Omran, Northern Iraq Result Decisive PKK and PUK victory
Belligerents
File:Flag of the Kurdistan Democratic Party.svg Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP)	File:Flag of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.svg Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) File:Flag of the Kurdistan Workers' Party.svg Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)
Commanders and leaders
Massoud Barzani (KDP)	Abdullah Öcalan (PKK) Jalal Talabani (PUK)
Strength
8,000–10,000 troops	6,000–8,000 troops (PUK and PKK combined)
Casualties and losses
1,000–1,200 dead 1,500–2,000 wounded	700–1,000 dead 1,200–1,500 wounded

The **Battle of Haji Omran (1997)** was a key engagement in the Kurdish Civil War, fought between the forces of the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) and a combined force of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The battle occurred from June 1 to June 5, 1997, in the mountainous region of Haji Omran, located on the border between northern Iraq and Iran.

Background

The battle was part of a larger conflict between the KDP and the PUK, which had been engaged in a violent civil war for control of Kurdish territories in northern Iraq. The PKK, which had its own agenda of Kurdish autonomy and had been fighting in Turkey, began to support the PUK in an effort to counter the growing influence of the KDP. Tensions escalated, and the PUK and PKK saw the strategic importance of Haji Omran, a border region with access to vital supply routes.

The KDP, led by Massoud Barzani, sought to maintain control over the region, while the PUK and PKK sought to drive out the KDP and solidify their power. The PUK and PKK had a tactical advantage due to their alliance and better knowledge of the rugged, mountainous terrain, which the KDP struggled to navigate effectively.

Battle

The battle began on June 1, 1997, when PUK and PKK forces launched a concerted attack on KDP positions in Haji Omran. The KDP forces, numbering around 8,000 to 10,000, were entrenched and heavily reliant on artillery, but they were caught off-guard by the superior guerrilla tactics of the PUK and PKK fighters, who had established strong defensive positions in the mountains. The PKK utilized their intimate knowledge of the terrain to conduct ambushes and harass KDP units with swift raids.

The PUK, led by Jalal Talabani, coordinated closely with the PKK, which was commanded by Abdullah Öcalan. This alliance allowed them to execute a series of pincer movements, overwhelming KDP positions. The rugged terrain hindered KDP reinforcements and logistics, leaving their forces vulnerable to encirclement.

By June 5, after five days of intense fighting, the PKK and PUK forces succeeded in pushing the KDP out of Haji Omran, securing the region for themselves. The KDP suffered heavy casualties, and many of their fighters were either killed, wounded, or captured.

Aftermath

The victory of the PUK and PKK in Haji Omran was a significant blow to the KDP's position in northern Iraq. Following the defeat, the KDP was forced to retreat to more defensible positions, and the PUK solidified its control over the region with the assistance of the PKK. The victory also marked a further escalation in the Kurdish Civil War, as the PKK's influence grew, and the KDP's resources were stretched thin.

In the aftermath of the battle, the KDP accused the PUK of collaborating with the PKK and betraying their shared Kurdish cause, while the PUK and PKK celebrated their victory as a pivotal moment in the struggle for Kurdish autonomy. Despite the temporary setback, the KDP continued to fight for control of northern Iraq, leading to continued tensions and further clashes in the years that followed.

See also

• Kurdish Civil War (1994–1997)
• Kurdistan Workers' Party
• Patriotic Union of Kurdistan
• Kurdish Democratic Party

References

• Mustafa, Ahmed. "The Battle of Haji Omran: PKK and PUK’s Key Victory." *The Middle East Observer*, 1997-06-10. Retrieved from [link](https://www.mideastobserver.com/1997/hajiomran)
• McDowall, David. *A Modern History of the Kurds*. I.B. Tauris, 2004. ISBN 978-1860649659.
• "The Kurdish Civil War: Haji Omran's Key Battle." *Kurdish Military Journal*, 1997-06-12. [Link](https://www.kurdishmilitaryjournal.com/1997/hajiomran)