Dr. Bestun Saburawi: 30 August Represents Resistance, 31 August Stands as Betrayal

PUKMEDIA

PUK and KDP logos.

Dr. Bestun Saburawi, former member of the Leadership Council of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), has drawn a sharp line between two defining dates in Kurdish history, describing 30 August of the PUK as a day of dignity and national perseverance, and 31 August of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) as a day of betrayal and treason against the Kurdish people.

Speaking to PUKMEDIA, Dr. Saburawi stated: “There is a vast difference between the PUK’s 30 August and the KDP’s 31 August. On 30 August 1990, the PUK made the historic decision to continue the revolution, even though the party was in a very difficult position due to the agreement between Iraq and Iran. But when we compare it to 31 August, we understand the scale of the disaster it inflicted upon the Kurdish nation.”

He continued: “31 August was the deadly blow that once again subjugated the Kurdish nation. If such a betrayal had occurred in any other nation, its perpetrators would have been put on trial. Those who committed this act will remain forever condemned in the black record of history.”

Dr. Saburawi further emphasised that the 31 August events must be considered part of the genocidal crimes committed by Saddam Hussein’s regime against the Kurdish people. He stressed the importance of preserving the memory of this “dark day” as a lasting reminder of treachery against the Kurdish nation.

Twenty-nine years have passed since the 31 August betrayal against the people of the Kurdistan Region in general, and the residents of Erbil in particular. On that day, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) guided the tanks of Iraq's fallen dictatorial Ba’ath regime, which perpetuated the Anfal crime and the Halabja chemical bombardment along many other notorious crimes against the Kurdish people, into the Kurdistan Parliament and the Kurdistan Region capital Erbil.

In this betrayal, more than 230 Peshmergas of the PUK were martyred in Erbil alone, with over 700 Peshmergas wounded.



PUKMEDIA