Battle of Shapur (1919)

Battle of Shapur During Simko Shikak's first rebellion, Shapur was the battle in which 7,700 irregular militiamen, but only 340 of them were armed, massacred the people.

Battle of Shapur
Part of the Simko Shikak revolt (1918-1922)
Date December 19, 1919 Location Salmas, West Azerbaijan Result Kurdish victory Local people were massacred
Belligerents
Shekak tribe	Qajar
Commanders and leaders
Simko Shikak	None
Strength
4,000	7,700 people, 340 of whom were armed
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Hundreds people were massacred

Background

Two critical incidents following the First World War clearly demonstrated the political ineptitude of Qajar authorities. The governor of Rezaich (now Urumiah) had obtained an audience with Simko in February 1919 and appealed to him to stop raiding his city. Simko viewed this appeal as a sign of government weakness, which further emboldened his dream of an independent Kurdish state.

Three months later, Qajar authorities sent Simko a "present" a bomb. The package exploded when opened on April 14, 1919, killing Simko's brother Ali Agha. Simko and his young son survived with slight injuries." This clumsy assassination attempt further alienated Simko, who mobilized his forces for an open rebellion against the government.

Battle and massacre

After the assassination attempt, Simko attacked Shapur with 4,000 men in revenge. Shapur's citizens gathered 7,700 men to resist Simko, but were only able to provide firearms to 340 of them. On December 19, 1919, Shapur's defenses held out fiercely for two days before Simko overcame their defenses. Showing little mercy, Simko had many of the fleeing citizens pursued and killed as they attempted to escape to Tabriz and Sharafkhaneh.

Sources

• Farrokh, Kaveh (2011). Iran at War: 1500-1988. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78096-240-5.

• Arfa, Hassan (1966). The Kurds: An Historical and Political Study. Oxford University Press.