Broken Promises
The Treaty of Sevres was never ratified. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's Turkish nationalist movement reversed these gains, and the Treaty of Lausanne (July 24, 1923) erased all mentions of Kurdistan, partitioning Kurdish lands among Turkey, British-mandate Iraq, French-mandate Syria, and Iran. Across the newly drawn borders, Kurdish leaders launched desperate revolts. In Iran, Simko Shikak assembled 20,000 fighters and controlled the Urmia region (1918-1922). In Iraq, Sheikh Mahmud Barzanji was appointed governor of Sulaymaniyah by the British, then twice revolted and declared himself King of the Kingdom of Kurdistan (1922-1924). In Turkey, Sheikh Said led a major rebellion in 1925 calling for Kurdish self-rule, but was captured and executed. The Xoybun organization launched the Ararat rebellion (1927-1930), with Ihsan Nuri Pasha commanding Kurdish forces and proclaiming the Republic of Ararat. Turkey crushed the rebellion with 60,000 troops and aerial bombardment.
Key Events
- Simko Shikak revolt in Iran; controls Urmia region with 20,000 fighters (1918-1922)
- Sheikh Mahmud Barzanji declared governor of Sulaymaniyah by British (1919)
- Barzanji revolts and declares himself King of Kurdistan (1922-1924)
- Treaty of Lausanne erases Kurdish autonomy provisions, partitions Kurdistan (July 24, 1923)
- Sheikh Said revolt in Turkey calling for Kurdish self-rule (February-April 1925)
- Sheikh Said captured and executed; mass repression of Kurds follows (1925)
- Xoybun organization founded by exiled Kurdish intellectuals in Lebanon (1927)
- Ararat rebellion: Ihsan Nuri Pasha proclaims the Republic of Ararat (1927)
- Turkey crushes Ararat rebellion with 60,000 troops and aerial bombardment (1930)
- Simko Shikak assassinated in an Iranian ambush (June 30, 1930)
Key Figures
Kurdish leader in Sulaymaniyah (1878-1956) appointed governor by the British, who twice revolted (1919 and 1922) and declared himself King of the Kingdom of Kurdistan.
Kurdish chieftain of the Shekak tribe (1887-1930). Organized 20,000 Kurdish fighters and controlled northwestern Iran. Assassinated in an Iranian army ambush in 1930.
Kurdish religious leader who led a major revolt in southeastern Turkey in 1925. The revolt was brutally suppressed and Sheikh Said was executed, triggering harsh anti-Kurdish policies.
Kurdish military officer (1892-1976) who commanded the Ararat rebellion (1927-1930) and served as generalissimo of Kurdish forces, overseeing the proclamation of the Republic of Ararat.