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Divided Land
The Treaty of Lausanne post World War I divides Ottoman Empire region into Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria, leaving out a previously promised designated region for the Kurds. The Kurdish people become divided among the different new countries. -
Creation of KDP
Iranian Kurds attempt to create their independent region of Mahabad Republic which is soon suppressed by the Iran Government. Iraqi Kurds, led by Mustafa Barzani, found the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) to work towards creating an independent Kurdistan state. -
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Iraqi Kurds
Iraqi Kurds revolt against the government; the conflict eventually results in a peace agreement which grants the Kurds some autonomy. -
Creation of PUK
Leader Jalal Talabani of the KDP founds alternative group the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) which results in the start of continual conflict. -
Kurdish Independence Movement in Turkey
Kurds in Turkey, led by Abdullah Ocalan, create the Kurdistan Worker Party (PKK) to work towards Kurdish independence. -
Anfal Chemical Bombardment
Iraq attacks Iraqi Kurds with chemicals known as the Anfal Campaign because the Kurds had supported Iran during the Iran-Iraq War. Thousands die and 1.5 million leave for Turkey. -
Iraqi Kurds gain land
Iraqi Kurds fight the Saddam Hussein regime after the Persian Gulf War with the support of the United States but thousands of Kurds are killed as a result. A non-fly zone is designated over the Kurdish region of Iraq by the United Nations to help protect them, allowing Kurds to gain an autonomous region. -
Turkey attacks PKK
Turkey attacks PKK in Iraq. -
Kurd Autonomy in Turkey
The Turkish government gives Kurds limited autonomy but bans their political parties. The Turkish government suppresses Kurds with force and violence. -
KDP vs PUK
The KDP and PUK fight for control of the Kurdish independent region of Iraq -
PUK and KDP Peace Agreement
The KDP and PKK reach a peace agreement, ending their violent conflict.