Written by Kerem Muldur
Independence
Acquiring large amounts of resources and common borders with your ally are two important points that shall assist you against your enemies. That is exactly why the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union invaded Iran on August 25, 1941. Allies kicked out Riza Pehlevi, the former Iran Shah, and elected his son Muhammed Riza Pehlevi as the new king. In 1946, the UK was the authority for southern regions, and the USSR ruled northern areas. In order to broaden its sphere of influence in Iran, Stalin encouraged satellite governments such as South Azerbaijan and Mahabad Republic[1], which is the focus of this article. With the great support of the USSR to the Komela Democratic Party, the Republic of Mahabad was declared to be established independently on January 22, 1946, by Qadi Muhammed at Carcira Square. The Mahabad Republic was the first Kurdish Republic ever to exist and lasted for only 11 months.
The Mahabad Kurdish Republic, or Soviet Socialist Mahabad Republic was an unrecognized puppet state of the Soviet Union. The population was heavily Sorani Kurdish, and the common religion was the Sunni sect of Islam. The Mahabad Republic was located in the middle of Iraq, Iran, and the People's Republic of Azerbaijan as shown in the map. The currency of the state was Iran Riyal, and the sovereignty of the country was heavily based on the economic and political desires of the USSR in that region[2].
Consolidation and Legitimization of Power
Even though the USSR was forced to withdraw from Iran, the USSR had no thought of retreating from the region without any benefit. Stalin didn't want to cut the relationship with the area immediately, so he decided to leave some puppet states loyal to the USSR to maintain the relationship[3].
The majority of the 3.3 million population were lower and middle-class Sorani Kurds belonging to local tribes. These tribes were one of two main Powers to shape the Republic of Mahabad. Barzani's tribe and army from Northern Iraq was the main military power of Mahabad, and when Komela took the wind of powerful leaders and tribes it became more and more effective. Qadı Muhammed, who was aware of the support of tribes and leaders, kept his relationships clean and pleasant with these tribes. Muhammed attached importance to these leader's thoughts and took the initiative on the Tribe leaders' side to maintain their support.
Collapse of Mahabad
The state's situation was not promising after the first 2 months of independence, and the entire nation knew that Iran would launch an operation. Qadi Muhammad, who was losing the trust of the Kurdish people and the leaders of the Achiever, surrendered conditionally to prevent civilian deaths when the Iranian army gave an ultimatum.
After the ostensible process of judgment had ended, Qadi Muhammed and 2 other government officials were murdered at Carcira Square, where independence was declared.
Further Contextualization
Shah Muhammed Pehlevi stated that this situation is where the Cold War started. That wasn’t the Iranian army to invade Mahabad, that was the UK and USA to beat the USSR. Stalin failed it, and the United States nailed it, providing meaningful hints about the future of the Cold War.
References:
Gunaydin. (2022, January 22). Bir ABD'li diplomatın gözünden Mahabad ve kadi Muhammed: İdamlar maksimum güvenlikle gizlice gerçekleştirildi. Independent Türkçe. https://www.indyturk.com/node/462596/haber/bir-abdli-diplomat%C4%B1n-g%C3%B6z%C3%BCnden-mahabad-ve-kad%C4%B1-muhammed-i%CC%87damlar-maksimum
Gzt. (2023, October 4). İran’da bir Kurt cumhuriyeti: Mahabad. GZT. https://www.gzt.com/mecra/iranda-bir-kurt-cumhuriyeti-mahabad-3457062
Celik, M. M. (2021, September 26). Kürtlerin Acem satrancında son büyük direnişi: Mahabad Kurt Cumhuriyeti. Independent Türkçe. https://www.indyturk.com/node/416566/k%C3%BCrtlerin-acem-satranc%C4%B1nda-son-b%C3%BCy%C3%BCk-direni%C5%9Fi-mahabad-k%C3%BCrt-cumhuriyeti
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