Battle of Kheli Hama
{{Short description|Battle between Ansar al-Islam and PUK}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Battle of Kheli Hama
| place = Kheli Hama, Halabja
| combatant1 = {{flag|Kurdistan Region}}
Supported by:
{{flag|United States}}
| combatant2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg}} Islamic Emirate of Kurdistan
- {{flagicon image|Flag of Ansar al-Islam.svg}} Ansar al-Islam
| result = PUK victory
- Ansar Al-Islam initially capture Kheli Hama
- Kheli Hama recaptured by PUK 24 hours later
| commander1 = 25px Jalal Talabani
| commander2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of Ansar al-Islam.svg}} Mullah Krekar
| casualties1 = 42
| casualties2 = 15
| partof = the Islamist insurgency in Iraqi Kurdistan
| date = September 24, 2001
}}
The Battle of Kheli Hama was an ambush on the PUK by Ansar al-Islam in the village of Kheli Hama in the Halabja Governorate. It took place 13 days after the September 11 attacks, although there was no connection between them.
Attack
The attack happened at 3:00 in the afternoon. Ansar al-Islam fighters launched a surprise attack from 3 sides against the PUK forces stationed in the village. Because the PUK forces were off guard and not expecting any attacks by Ansar al-Islam, the Ansar fighters dealt one of their deadliest blows. The PUK were pushed out and the village of Kheli Hama briefly fell under Ansar control. After 24 hours of Ansar al-Islam occupying the village as part of their Islamic Emirate of Kurdistan, the PUK returned with more soldiers, backup soldiers, and United States support, and took the village back.{{Cite web |date=March 8, 2016 |title=خێڵی حهمه، لوتكهی دڕندهیی تیرۆریستان |url=http://knwe.org/direje.aspx?besh=witar&cor=3&jimare=4145 |access-date=2023-02-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308185243/http://knwe.org/direje.aspx?besh=witar&cor=3&jimare=4145 |archive-date=March 8, 2016 }}{{Cite web |title=ئەژی ئەمین: کارەساتی خێڵی حەمە یەکێتی کرد بەپێشهنگی دژایەتیکردنی تیرۆر |url=https://www.bmctv.krd/detail.aspx?jimare=34901 |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=www.bmctv.krd |language=en}} A total of 15 Ansar al-Islam fighters and 42 PUK fighters were killed, and an additional 8 PUK held captive by Ansar al-Islam.{{Cite web |title=The Al-Qaeda affiliated group that massacred people of the Kurdistan region |url=https://kurdsatenglish.com/news.aspx?id=552&mapid=6 |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=kurdsatenglish.com}}
Aftermath
In 2018, a monument dedicated to the PUK soldiers who died in the attack was built in Sharazoor, close to Kheli Hama. In February 2021, a local Kurdish man from Sharazoor was arrested by the Asayish for writing Ansar al-Islam graffiti on the wall of the monument. During the interrogation, he pleaded guilty instantly.{{Cite web |date=February 20, 2023 |title=ڕووداوی خێڵی حەمە |url=https://zaniary.com/blog/616e16097cd3f/%DA%95%D9%88%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%88%DB%8C-%D8%AE%DB%8E%DA%B5%DB%8C-%D8%AD%DB%95%D9%85%DB%95 |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=ڕووداوی خێڵی حەمە |language=ku}} Soran Omar would later go on trial for his alleged involvement.{{cite news |date=7 May 2020 |title=Kurdistan Parliament: Soran Omar will appear before the judiciary after immunity lifted |work=Shafaq News |url=https://shafaq.com/en/kurdistan/kurdistan-parliament-soran-omar-will-appear-before-the-judiciary-after-immunity-lifted |access-date=13 August 2021}}{{Cite web |title=پەرلەمانتارێكی یەكێتی: سۆران عومەر دەستی لە تاوانی خێڵی حەمە هەیە و ئاساییە دادگایی بكرێ |url=http://www.wishe.net/details.aspx?=hewal&jmare=97441&Jor=14 |access-date=2023-02-28 |website=www.wishe.net}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kheli Hama 2001}}
Category:2001 in Iraqi Kurdistan
Category:Civil wars of the 21st century