Conflict in the Middle East
By: Greg Chalmers
Critical Thinking
Why do we have countries?
What influences the boundaries between countries?
What conflicts may occur because of these boundaries?
Current Conflicts
A Bomb Going off in Iran
American Soldiers in Iran
Pirates in the Strait of Hormuz
KDPI Insurgency
(Boundaries)(WAR)
The war on the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran lasted until 1989- 1996. The conflict was caused by the assassination of KDPI leader Abdul Rahman Qassemlou. This caused Kurdish Soldiers to revolt and launch attacks and raids on Iranian military bases in Kurdish areas of Iran. Rebellions caused by KDPI followers erupted across Syria, Iran, Turkey, and Iraq. The Iran army tried to maintain the rebellious Kurds in Kurdish areas and 10,000 Kurds were killed in the process. Obviously the Kurd were outraged and killed many Iranian Soldiers and civilian.
This led Iranian soldiers to assassinate Sadegh Sharafkandi another leader of the KDPI. Many other political leaders who favored the Kurds and helped them were assassinated. This lowered morale and the Kurds lost many times to the powerful Iranian Soldiers. The conflict slowly became smaller and smaller until the Kurds had nothing. Eventually KDPI could not function militarily and announced a cease-fire in the summer of 1996.
Revolvy, LLC. ""KDPI Insurgency (1989–96)" on Revolvy.com." KDPI Insurgency (1989–96). CC-BY-SA, n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2016.
Riots of 2009
(war-KINDA)
On the morning of June 17, 2009 chaos erupted on the streets of Tehran as protesters covered the city. Riot Police armed with batons and riot shields defended the politics who are rigging the voting program. Protesters are burning vehicles and molotovs are being thrown. There is a miniature war happening in Vanak Square, Tehran.
All of this has happened because of Mir Hussein Moussavi and his stolen vote. His competitor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has won the election, but not allowed into office. Hussein lost by about 30%, but with the aid of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, they intervened and rigged the voting program, to put Hussein in office. With Mahmoud trying to stop Hussein, protests erupted for Hussein against Mahmoud.
Later that week, polls finally came in showing Hussein losing by at least 30%. This made Hussein mad, and so did the protesters. This made Mahmoud's supporters think twice about how Mahmoud had rigged the vote from his last election, and some changed their minds. Hussein ended up in office, and the dictator Mahmoud was arrested.
Iran PJAK conflict
(RELIGION)(rESOURCES)(waR)
PJAK shares the same leadership as the PKK, a group of Kurds who are fighting Turkish Government Forces. PJAK members practice Apoism, a socialist movement. These women are also fighting for the murder of women in Kurdistan. These women are Sunni fighting against the Shia Muslims of Iran. This is anther reason for the conflict against these groups.
"Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK)." TRAC. TRAC, 2016. Web. 20 Sept. 2016. <http://www.trackingterrorism.org/group/party-free-life-kurdistan-pjak>.
Iran-Iraq War
(Resources)(WAR)
The whole war started after Ira wanted control over Iran's oil. Saddam Hussein wanted to claim the river, Shaṭṭ Al-ʿArab for Iran. Saddam was also concerned from Iran's revolutionary government. When Saddam attacked, the government of Iran was unorganized, so Iraq had the advantage.
The war lasted a long 8 years from 1980-1988. The U.S. got involved from our oil supplies in the region, and sided with Iraq. Many pipelines, and oil shipments stopped momentarily from the war. Iran had sided with Syria and Libya , while Iraq had many allies such as the U.S., the Soviet Union, Kuwait, and other Arab nations around the Middle East.
After many request for Iran to cease-fire, they decided enough was enough. On August 20th, 1988, Iran called a cease-fire and the war ended. After Suffering Many Losses (Estimated over 500,000), having a deteriorating economy, and attacks from the UN surrounding the country caused Iran to wave the white flag
Brittanica, Editors Of. "Iran-Iraq War." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2016. <https://www.britannica.com/event/Iran-Iraq-War>.
Historical Conflicts
Goharshad Mosque in Mashhad Iran at night
A Russian Tank in the Streets of Iran
A battle Painting of the Anglo-Persian War
Goharshad Mosque Rebellion
(RELIGION)
It took 4 long days of local police and the army refused to violate the shrine. Finally when troops for Azerbaijan arrived the standoff ended as troops stormed inside the Mosque. Dozens were killed and hundreds injured from the troops. A British report stated 2 officers and 18 soldiers killed, While 128 dead villagers and 200-300 wounded. Over 800 people were arrested in the incident.
Hosseini, Mir Masood. "Goharshad Mosque Rebellion." Goharshad Mosque Rebellion. Fouman.com, 18 Dec. 2015. Web. 20 Sept. 2016. <http://1host2u.com/?ez=9470>.
ANGLO PERSIAN WAR
(war)(boundaries)
The Anglo Persian war was a short conflict that lasted only one year, from 1856-1857. The war was fought between the Persians, Russians, and the British Empire in their province of India. he war was fought in Persia and Afghanistan. All three Countries wanted control of Northern Persia and Afghanistan. After the Afghan's Sided with Russia, as Russia Promised to let them have half the land gained.
The Qajar Dynasty was in control of Persia, at which the Persians declared themselves independent. In control of the British Queen Victoria was notorious for land claims who wanted to just keep their claims and defend their border of India, and make treaties for land, not war. Soon the war ended with the defeat of Persia, but the Russians pulled out because of how close they were to the British Province. The British Empire helped Persia gain back the land they lost, while the British Gained more land in India.
Brittanica, Editors Of. "Iran-Iraq War." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2016. <https://www.britannica.com/event/Iran-Iraq-War>.
WWII Iran theatre
(WAR)
Iran was a very strategic location for the Allied Powers. It produced more than 8 million tons of oil for the Allies. Many military bases were housed there, including the American Base used to send supplies to the eastern front after Germany invaded Russia. Eventually, strong ties were made between Iran's government and Germany, which eventually led to the placement of German troops in Iran.
The allied powers attacked with tanks, planes, infantry, basically everything until the Germans had been pushed all the way to Africa. The Soviets eventually divided the land with the allied powers, and Iran would be a proven allied location for the remainder of the war.
"WW2 Peoples War." BBC. BBC, 15 Oct. 2014. Web. 22 Aug. 2016. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/timeline/factfiles/nonflash/a1130121.shtml>.
Siege of Herat
(WAR)(Resources)
Nelson, John Carl. "Iran Chamber Society: History of Iran: The Siege of Herat 1837-1838." Iran Chamber Society: History of Iran: The Siege of Herat 1837-1838. Iran Chamber Society, 1976. Web. 27 Sept. 2016.