Dersim & Repression
The 1930s-1940s were among the darkest decades for Kurds across all four states. In Turkey, the Dersim massacre (1937-1938) stands as one of the most brutal episodes: Turkish forces, acting on Ataturk's operational orders, killed between 13,000 and 70,000 Kurdish Alevis in Dersim province (renamed Tunceli), using 20 tons of chemical agents, aerial bombardment by Sabiha Gokcen (Turkey's first female pilot), and mass deportations. In Iraq, the Barzan revolt of 1932 and continued unrest led to British aerial bombardment of Kurdish villages. Kurdish language and culture were banned across Turkey, and Kurdish identity was systematically suppressed -- Kurds were officially referred to as "Mountain Turks." The onset of World War II weakened central authority in Iran when Britain and the Soviet Union jointly invaded in 1941, forcing Reza Shah to abdicate. This power vacuum in northwestern Iran would create the conditions for the Republic of Mahabad.
Key Events
- Barzan revolts in Iraq; British RAF bombs Kurdish villages (1931-1932)
- Kurdish language banned in Turkey; Kurds officially labeled "Mountain Turks"
- Dersim massacre: Turkey kills 13,000-70,000 Kurdish Alevis (1937-1938)
- Sabiha Gokcen, Turkey's first female pilot, participates in bombing Dersim
- Turkey uses 20 tons of chemical agents and aerial bombardment in Dersim
- Mass deportations of surviving Dersim Kurds to western Turkey
- Erdogan officially apologizes for the Dersim massacre (November 23, 2011)
- World War II begins (1939); Kurdish lands largely spared from direct combat
- Britain and Soviet Union jointly invade Iran, forcing Reza Shah to abdicate (1941)
- Power vacuum in northwestern Iran creates conditions for Kurdish self-governance
- Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) founded in Mahabad (1945)
Key Figures
Alevi Kurdish tribal leader of the Dersim region (c. 1863-1937) who led resistance against Turkish military operations. Captured through trickery, he was hanged along with his son and five other leaders at age 75.
Sabiha Gokcen
Turkey's first female combat pilot (1913-2001), adopted daughter of Ataturk. Participated in the aerial bombardment of Dersim in 1937-38. Later discovered to likely be of Armenian origin.
Kurdish tribal leader who led revolts against the Iraqi government in 1931-1932. Elder brother of Mustafa Barzani, he was exiled and the Barzan region faced British aerial bombardment.