Remembering martyrdom of Qazî Mohammed, 77 years since tragic execution in Mahabad

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Seventy-seven years ago, on March 31, 1947, the gallant dream of an independent Kurdistan was shattered as Qazi Mohammed, the valiant President of the Republic of Kurdistan, with Mahabad as its capital, met his untimely demise along with his comrades in Mahabad's central square.

Their crime? Daring to declare the Republic of Kurdistan and strive for the liberation of their homeland.

The echoes of this somber event reverberated throughout Kurdistan, marking a pivotal moment in its history. Qazi Mohammed, alongside his brother Abul-Qasim Qazi and cousins Hama Hussein Khan Saif Qazi and Sadri Qazi, paid the ultimate price for their vision of a free Kurdistan.

The backdrop of World War II saw the occupation of northern and southern Iran by Soviet and British forces. Seizing the opportunity, Qazi Mohammed and the leaders of the Kurdish liberation movement established a local government in the Mukriyan region on December 22, 1946.

Their bold declaration of the Republic of Kurdistan in Chwar-Chira Square, Mahabad, ignited hope among Kurds far and wide.

However, the winds of geopolitical change soon turned against them. The Iranian central government, bolstered by international support, swiftly crushed the fledgling republic and executed its leaders on that fateful March day.

The Republic of Kurdistan garnered solidarity from across the region, with Barzani's forces, under the leadership of Mullah Mustafa Barzani, providing staunch support and defense. Yet, diplomatic maneuvers, especially between Iran and the Soviet Union, sealed the fate of the nascent republic.

Ahmad Qavam os-Saltaneh, Iran's foreign minister at the time, orchestrated diplomatic agreements to secure control over Iran's oil resources. The withdrawal of the Red Army from Iran, in exchange for promises of oil contracts in the north, paved the way for Tehran's resurgence.

Despite attempts at negotiation and assurances of safety, Tehran reneged on its promises, leading to the tragic demise of Qazi Mohammed and his compatriots. The massacre of the Azerbaijani people in parallel events further underscored the ruthlessness of Tehran's campaign to quell dissent.

Seventy-seven years on, the memory of Qazi Mohammed and his noble pursuit of Kurdish self-determination remains etched in the annals of Kurdish history. Their sacrifice serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring struggle for freedom and justice in Kurdistan.