Republic of Mahabad
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The Republic of Mahabad, also referred to as the Republic of Kurdistan, was a short-lived Kurdish self-governing unrecognized state in present-day Iran, from 22 January to 15 December 1946. The Republ
Qazi Muhammad
Qazi Muhammed establishing the Republic of Mahabad
Peshmerga
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The Peshmerga are the internal security forces of the Kurdistan Region. According to the Constitution of Iraq, federal regions are responsible for "the establishment and organization of the internal s
Republic of Mahabad
…explicitly rejected independence and aimed for autonomy within the "Iranian empire". The military force of the Republic of Mahabad, later known as the Peshmerga, grew out of the armed followers of Mustafa Barzani, who had led a tribal revolt against the Iraqi government in 1943–1945 before retreating across the…
Bedir Khan Beg leading a cavalry charge.
Kurdish cavalry under Mahmud Barzanji.
Mustafa Barzani (center front) with other Kurdish military officials of the Republic of Mahabad.
Mid-20th-century Peshmerga fighters with the famous Kurdish guerrilla fighter Mama Risha (center back).