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WW1
Treaty of Sevres, signed by the defeated Ottoman government, provides for a Kurdish state, subject to the agreement of the League of Nations. Article 64 of the Treaty gives Kurds living in the Mosul vilayet the option of joining a future independent Kurdistan. -
Period: to
Of Time and Prejudice
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The Great Division
Kurds are divided among Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. -
Civilization Revolution
Kurds revolt creating Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP), Iraq quells revolt, this continues for some time. -
The Spoils of War
A peace agreement is signed between the Iraqi government and the Kurds of northern Iraq, granting them some self-rule. -
The Kurdish Genocide
Iraq retaliates against the Kurds for supporting Iran during the Iran-Iraq war, and through the "al-Anfal" ("spoils of war") campaign, slaughters thousands of civilians and uproots 1.5 million from their homes. Thousands flee to Turkey. -
Progress
The Kurds join U.S. and British forces in defeating Saddam Hussein's regime. Four Kurds are appointed by the U.S. to the Iraqi Governing Council, including Barzani and Talabani. -
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness
President Barzani announces plans for an independence referendum later in the year, saying that independence is a "natural right".