The First Barzan Uprising
(1931 — 1932)
Introduction to Part I
The idea of writing this book has arisen from my sense of the importance
of studying the history of the struggle of the Kurdish people and shedding light on the patriotic role of the Barzanis, who have taken part in formulating and forging numerous vicissitudes of this history.
Admittedly, I am neither a writer, nor a specialized researcher, nor a historian. I have fought hard to set aside my biases to command objectivity and fairness in meeting this challenging project, and to bring to readers and those interested in the Kurdish cause the fruits of this labor.
I must point out that despite a life full of heroism, sacrifice, and challenge devoted to the liberation and advancement of the Kurdish people, a life that reflects, in its transformations and demands, a significant share in the political history of the Kurdish people, the immortal Barzani never liked the idea of writing his memoirs and telling of the circumstances he faced in his life.
In this study, I wish to shed light on the first Barzan uprising in some detail, and to record information and facts I heard from participants in those events.
As the Kurdish struggle continued, detailed accounts of the first Barzan upris- ing remained unknown to many Kurds and to the outside world. Accounts of Iraqi officers who participated in military campaigns and accounts of British employ- ees in Iraq are not objective and fair. They were not, I must stress, written to be objective.
It is wrong to expect the British or officers trained by and serving under British commanders to impart the truth. They expressed official points of view, accord- ing to their own interests. Their accounts do not correspond to events on the ground or with the legitimacy of the national uprising.
From my position in the modern Kurdish national liberation movement, I find that it is imperative and a sacred duty to at least attempt to elucidate the vague or hidden aspects of this uprising and its role in paving the way for subsequent revolts and uprisings in Barzan.
No patriot, I believe, can effectively contribute to the struggle of his nation unless he mindfully studies its history. A nation's present is the rebirth of its past, and a nation's future is the progeny of its present.
Massoud Barzani
Kurdistan
January 1986 | 
