Battle of Miandoab

Battle of Miandoab
	Part of Simko Shikak revolt (1918–1922)
	; Map of the Simko Shikak revolt (1918–1922)
Date	Early 1921
Location	Miandoab, West Azerbaijan, Iran
Result	Kurdish victory Simko Shikak's forces defeated government troops at Miandoab and took control of the area; maintained control until the 1921 Persian coup d'état and 1922 attacks.;
Belligerents
Qajar state; Pahlavi Iran	Kurdish forces Shikak tribe; Mamash tribe;
Commanders and leaders
Fathollah Khan Akbar; Reza Khan; General Hassan Moqaddam; General Habibollah Sheibani	Simko Shikak; Sayyid Taha; Amar Khan Shikak
Strength
Unknown After the battle; As of 7 April 1922: 1,200 Cavalry; 800 Infantry; 4 Artillery guns; 10 Machine guns;	4,000‒4,500 fighters; 1,000 Ottoman Kurds
Casualties and losses
200+ killed; 150 captured (most executed)	Unknown

Battle of Miandoab (Kurdish: شەڕی میاندواو, romanized: Şeřî Miyandiwaw) was a military engagement that took place in 1921 near the city of Miandoab, in the West Azerbaijan province of Iran. It was part of the broader uprising led by Simko Shikak, a Kurdish nationalist and tribal leader who sought to assert autonomy in northwestern Iran during the weakening of central authority in the aftermath of World War I.^[13]^[14]

The battle resulted in a Kurdish victory, with Simko's forces successfully repelling Iranian government troops and taking control of the area.

Background

Following the collapse of the Qajars after World War I, Iran was politically fragmented, with various tribal leaders exercising autonomous control over their territories. One of the most prominent of these figures was Simko Shikak, a Kurdish leader who had established de facto rule in parts of northwestern Iran. From 1919 to 1922, Simko led a series of uprisings and formed loose alliances with other Kurdish and tribal leaders, exploiting the weakness of the central government of Iran to expand his power base.^[15]

Simko's rule in the region was marked by efforts to centralize authority within his domain, collect tribute, and maintain a standing military force. However, his ambitions increasingly alarmed the central authorities. His forces operated in areas such as Urmia, Salmas, and Miandoab, often clashing with Iranian military units and rival tribal elements. Reports of atrocities committed by his forces, including attacks on Assyrians and Armenians, further fueled opposition to his rule.^[16]^[17]

In 1921, Reza Khan, minister of war, initiated a military campaign to bring rebellious tribal regions under state control. Miandoab became a strategic target due to its location at the crossroads of tribal movement and its significance as a base of Simko's operations.^[18]

Battle

The confrontation at Miandoab began when government forces, under officers loyal to Reza Khan, launched an offensive against Simko's entrenched positions. However, the Kurdish forces, experienced in irregular mountain warfare and well-fortified in the region, successfully repelled the attack.^[19] Simko's troops inflicted heavy losses on the Iranian forces, forcing them to retreat from the area and leaving Miandoab under Kurdish control; he was at the height of his power in 1921.^[20]^[21] Some Azerbaijanis in Miandoab and Maragheh sent letters of submission to Simko.^[22]

The victory at Miandoab marked one of Simko's most significant military achievements, consolidating his control over a large portion of northwestern Iran. His authority expanded further following the battle, and for a time, he governed effectively as a regional warlord.^[23]^[24]

Simko was in a strong enough position to potentially threaten Tabriz, one more victory could have made him "chieftain of all western tribes" and enabled him to establish a republic.^[2]^[25]

Aftermath

Despite the Kurdish victory at Miandoab, the battle provoked a more forceful response from the central government. Reza Khan, committed to consolidating power and eliminating tribal autonomy, launched a series of broader campaigns in subsequent years. Although Simko attempted to expand and solidify his rule, internal divisions among the Kurdish tribes and growing pressure from the Iranian military eventually eroded his power base.^[26]

By 1922, government forces had begun to regain territory, and Simko's movement steadily declined.^[27] In 1930, he was lured into negotiations by Iranian authorities and assassinated by a trap, bringing an end to his resistance.^[28]^[29]

Notes

^ After the 1921 Persian coup d'état led by Reza Khan and the rise to power of the Pahlavis, and the attack on Simko's forces in Miandoab

References

^ Kia 2023, p. 159.
^ ^a ^b Kia 2023, p. 199.
^ Affairs, United States Congress House Committee on Foreign (1980). Selected Executive Session Hearings of the Committee. U.S. Government Printing Office.
^ Kia 2023, p. 183.
^ Arfa 1964, p. 127.
^ Vahabzadeh, Peyman (2024-10-23). For Land and Culture: The Grassroots Council Movement of Turkmens in Iran, 1979-1980. Fernwood Publishing. ISBN 978-1-77363-684-9.
^ Gunter, Michael M. (2009-06-22). The A to Z of the Kurds. Scarecrow Press. p. 147. ISBN 978-0-8108-6334-7.
^ Qadri, Muhammed S. (2021). Emer Xanî Şikak: Le Serhelldanî Simkowe ta Komarî Kurdistan [Amar Khan Shikak: from the rise of Simko to the Kurdistan Republic] (PDF) (in Kurdish). Tehran, Iran: Kurdish Academy.
^ Kia 2023, p. 196.
^ Kia 2023, p. 173.
^ Burrell, Robert Michael; Jarman, Robert L. (1997). Iran: Political Diaries, 1881-1965. Archive Editions. ISBN 978-1-85207-710-5.
^ Arfa 1964, p. 119.
^ Koohi-Kamali 2003, p. 42.
^ McDowall, David (1996). The Kurds: A Minority Rights Group Report. Minority Rights Group. p. 21. ISBN 978-1-897693-46-9.
^ Koohi-Kamali 2003, pp. 75‒99.
^ Kia 2023, p. 182.
^ Arfa 1964, p. 37.
^ Arfa 1964, p. 114.
^ Arfa 1964, p. 136.
^ Gunter 2004, p. 188.
^ Kia 2023, pp. 193–196.
^ Tribe and State in Iran and Afghanistan (RLE Iran D), Richard Tapper, 2012, pp. 388, ISBN 9781136833847
^ The New York Times 1922-07-10. TNYT. 1922-07-10.
^ Koohi-Kamali 2003, p. 92.
^ Ghanī, Sīrūs (1998). Iran and the Rise of Reza Shah: From Qajar Collapse to Pahlavi Power. I.B. Tauris. p. 258. ISBN 978-0-7556-1207-9.
^ Koohi-Kamali 2003, p. 93.
^ Arfa 1964, p. 40.
^ Gunter 2004, pp. 37–77.
^ Entessar, Nader (2009-11-05). Kurdish Politics in the Middle East. Lexington Books. ISBN 978-0-7391-4041-3.

Sources

Arfa, Hassan (1964). Under Five Shahs. John Murray.
Koohi-Kamali, F. (2003). The Political Development of the Kurds in Iran: Pastoral Nationalism. Springer. ISBN 978-0-230-53572-5.
Gunter, Michael M. (2004). Historical Dictionary of the Kurds. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810875074.
Kia, Mehrdad (2023). The Clash of Empires and the Rise of Kurdish Proto-Nationalism, 1905–1926. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9783031449734.}

[9] After the 1921 Persian coup d'état led by Reza Khan and the rise to power of the Pahlavis, and the attack on Simko's forces in Miandoab

[FOOTNOTEKia2023159-1] Kia 2023, p. 159.

[FOOTNOTEKia2023199-2] Kia 2023, p. 199.

[3] Affairs, United States Congress House Committee on Foreign (1980). Selected Executive Session Hearings of the Committee. U.S. Government Printing Office.

[FOOTNOTEKia2023183-4] Kia 2023, p. 183.

[FOOTNOTEArfa1964127-5] Arfa 1964, p. 127.

[6] Vahabzadeh, Peyman (2024-10-23). For Land and Culture: The Grassroots Council Movement of Turkmens in Iran, 1979-1980. Fernwood Publishing. ISBN 978-1-77363-684-9.

[7] Gunter, Michael M. (2009-06-22). The A to Z of the Kurds. Scarecrow Press. p. 147. ISBN 978-0-8108-6334-7.

[8] Qadri, Muhammed S. (2021). Emer Xanî Şikak: Le Serhelldanî Simkowe ta Komarî Kurdistan [Amar Khan Shikak: from the rise of Simko to the Kurdistan Republic] (PDF) (in Kurdish). Tehran, Iran: Kurdish Academy.

[FOOTNOTEKia2023196-10] Kia 2023, p. 196.

[FOOTNOTEKia2023173-11] Kia 2023, p. 173.

[12] Burrell, Robert Michael; Jarman, Robert L. (1997). Iran: Political Diaries, 1881-1965. Archive Editions. ISBN 978-1-85207-710-5.

[FOOTNOTEArfa1964119-13] Arfa 1964, p. 119.

[FOOTNOTEKoohi-Kamali200342-14] Koohi-Kamali 2003, p. 42.

[15] McDowall, David (1996). The Kurds: A Minority Rights Group Report. Minority Rights Group. p. 21. ISBN 978-1-897693-46-9.

[FOOTNOTEKoohi-Kamali200375‒99-16] Koohi-Kamali 2003, pp. 75‒99.

[FOOTNOTEKia2023182-17] Kia 2023, p. 182.

[FOOTNOTEArfa196437-18] Arfa 1964, p. 37.

[FOOTNOTEArfa1964114-19] Arfa 1964, p. 114.

[FOOTNOTEArfa1964136-20] Arfa 1964, p. 136.

[FOOTNOTEGunter2004188-21] Gunter 2004, p. 188.

[FOOTNOTEKia2023193–196-22] Kia 2023, pp. 193–196.

[23] Tribe and State in Iran and Afghanistan (RLE Iran D), Richard Tapper, 2012, pp. 388, ISBN 9781136833847

[24] The New York Times 1922-07-10. TNYT. 1922-07-10.

[FOOTNOTEKoohi-Kamali200392-25] Koohi-Kamali 2003, p. 92.

[26] Ghanī, Sīrūs (1998). Iran and the Rise of Reza Shah: From Qajar Collapse to Pahlavi Power. I.B. Tauris. p. 258. ISBN 978-0-7556-1207-9.

[FOOTNOTEKoohi-Kamali200393-27] Koohi-Kamali 2003, p. 93.

[FOOTNOTEArfa196440-28] Arfa 1964, p. 40.

[FOOTNOTEGunter200437–77-29] Gunter 2004, pp. 37–77.

[30] Entessar, Nader (2009-11-05). Kurdish Politics in the Middle East. Lexington Books. ISBN 978-0-7391-4041-3.

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v t e List of modern conflicts in the Middle East
1910s	World War I Italo-Turkish War Middle Eastern theatre Battle of Robat Karim Arab Revolt Armenian genocide Assyrian genocide Mount Lebanon starvation Unification of Saudi Arabia Simko Shikak revolt 1919 Egyptian revolution Turkish War of Independence Anglo-Turkish War Al-Jazeera Front Greco-Turkish War Turkish–Armenian War Franco-Turkish War Revolts United States Mahmud Barzanji revolts
1920s	Franco-Syrian War Iraqi Revolt (1920) Intercommunal conflict in Mandatory Palestine 1922 Dhabyani coup d'état Adwan Rebellion Arab separatism in Khuzestan Great Syrian Revolt 1926 Dhabyani coup d'état 1928 Dhabyani coup d'état Sheikh Said rebellion
1930s	Ararat rebellion Ahmed Barzani revolt Simele massacre Saudi–Yemeni war (1934) Goharshad Mosque rebellion 1935–1936 Iraqi Shia revolts 1935 Yazidi revolt 1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine Dersim rebellion
1940s	World War II Italian bombing of Palestine Allied invasion of Iraq Syria–Lebanon campaign Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran 1943 Barzani revolt Al-Waziri coup Al-Wathbah uprising Kurdish separatism in Iran Iran crisis of 1946 Arab–Israeli conflict 1948 Arab–Israeli War Suez Crisis 1967 Six-Day War 1973 Yom Kippur War 1982 Lebanon War
1950s	Buraimi dispute 1952 Egyptian revolution 1953 Iranian coup d'état Jebel Akhdar War Cyprus Emergency Suez Crisis Yemeni–Adenese clan violence 1958 Lebanon crisis 1958 Iraqi revolution 1959 Mosul uprising
1960s	Cyprus crisis of 1963–1964 Iraqi–Kurdish conflict First Iraqi–Kurdish War Second Iraqi–Kurdish War Dhofar rebellion North Yemen civil war Feb. 1963 Iraqi coup Mar. 1963 Syrian coup Nov. 1963 Iraqi coup Aden Emergency 1964 Hama riot Israeli–Palestinian conflict 1948 Palestine war First Intifada Second Intifada 1965 Sharjawi coup d'état 1966 Syrian coup d'état 1966 Dhabyani coup d'état 1969 Saudi Arabian coup attempt
1970s	Black September in Jordan 1972 Sharjawi coup d'état attempt Yemenite War of 1972 Turkish invasion of Cyprus Shatt al-Arab clashes Lebanese Civil War Political violence in Turkey Islamist uprising in Syria 1977 Shia uprising in Iraq NDF Rebellion Yemenite War of 1979 Iranian revolution Consolidation of the Iranian revolution 1979 Qatif Uprising Grand Mosque seizure 1979–1980 Shia uprising in Iraq
1980s	Iran–Iraq War 1980 Turkish coup d'état Kurdish–Turkish conflict Turkey–PKK conflict South Yemen civil war 1986 Egyptian conscripts riot 1986 Damascus bombings 1987 Sharjawi coup d'état attempt Mecca massacre Abu Nidal's executions
1990s	Gulf War (1990–1991) 1991 Iraqi uprisings Terror campaign in Egypt (1990s) Yemeni civil war (1994) Iraqi Kurdish Civil War Islamic insurgency in Saudi Arabia (2000–present) Operation Desert Fox al-Qaeda insurgency in Yemen 1999 Shia uprising in Iraq
2000s	Iraq War Balochi insurgency in Iran 2004 Qamishli riots Houthi insurgency in Yemen Iran–Israel proxy conflict 2006 Lebanon War Fatah–Hamas conflict South Yemen insurgency
2010s	2011 Bahraini uprising Egyptian Crisis Sinai insurgency Insurgency in Egypt (2013–present) Syrian civil war Turkish involvement in Syria Syrian War spillover in Lebanon Iraqi insurgency (2011–2013) War in Iraq (2013–2017) Islamic State insurgency in Iraq (2017–present) Yemeni crisis Yemeni civil war (2014–present)
2020s	2021 Beirut clashes Gaza war Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present) Red Sea crisis 2024 Iran–Israel conflict Iran–Israel war
This list includes World War I and later conflicts (after 1914) of at least 100 fatalities each Prolonged conflicts are listed in the decade when initiated; ongoing conflicts are marked italic, and conflicts with +100,000 killed with bold.