Qaladiza قەڵادزێ قەڵادزە
city
Location within Iraq
Coordinates: 36°11′00″N 45°07′40″E / 36.18333°N 45.12778°E / 36.18333; 45.12778
Country	Iraq
Autonomous region	Kurdistan Region
Governorate	Sulaymaniyah
District	Pişder District
Elevation	2,895 ft (882 m)
Population  (2018)
• Total	120,000
Time zone	UTC+3
Postal code	46016
Area code	+964

Qaladze (Sorani Kurdish: قەڵادزێ, romanized: Qeladizê, Arabic: قلدز) is a town in Kurdistan Region, Iraq, north of Sulaymaniyah, near the Iranian border. It is surrounded by mountains like many parts of Kurdistan. The town is located in the middle of Pişder District.

Qeladizê means "Castle of Two Rivers" from the Kurdish words Qela = castle, dû = two and zê = river. In the southwest of the city there is a castle between two rivers.^[1]

Qaladiza, located in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, has a rich historical backdrop. This section outlines the key events and transformations of Qaladiza from ancient history to its modern-day status.

• Geographical Importance: Qaladiza lies in a mountainous area, offering natural defenses and strategic significance for early settlements.
• Early Inhabitants: The region has been inhabited since ancient times, possibly influenced by the Sumerians, Akkadians, and Assyrians due to its proximity to ancient Mesopotamian civilizations.

• Islamic Conquests: Following the spread of Islam in the 7th century, Qaladiza became part of various Islamic Caliphates, including the Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates.
• Kurdish Emirates: The area was governed by Kurdish emirates during the medieval period, with the Shaddadid and Rawadid dynasties playing key roles.

• Administrative Structure: In the 16th century, Qaladiza became part of the Ottoman Empire, where local Kurdish leaders were given significant autonomy in exchange for loyalty and tribute.
• Tribal Influence: Kurdish tribal structures remained influential, with tribal leaders overseeing governance and tax collection under the Ottomans' indirect rule.

• Post-Ottoman Transition: Following the Ottoman Empire's collapse after WWI, Qaladiza fell under the British Mandate of Mesopotamia. This led to significant political changes, including the formation of the Kingdom of Iraq in 1932.
• Kurdish Nationalism: This period marked the rise of Kurdish nationalism, with Qaladiza playing a role in the movement for greater autonomy within Iraq.

Kurdish Rebellions and the Ba'athist Era (1958-2003)

• First Kurdish-Iraqi War (1961-1970): Qaladiza was a center for the Kurdish resistance during the First Kurdish-Iraqi War, which saw military clashes between Kurdish forces and the Iraqi government.
• Autonomy Agreement (1970): In 1970, a limited autonomy agreement was signed, granting Kurdish areas, including Qaladiza, some self-rule. However, its implementation was unsuccessful.
• Second Kurdish-Iraqi War (1974-1975): Renewed conflict in the 1970s led to further devastation in the region.
• Anfal Campaign (1986-1989): Under Saddam Hussein, the Ba'athist regime launched the genocidal Anfal Campaign against the Kurds, severely affecting Qaladiza with mass destruction and displacement.

Post-2003 and the Establishment of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)

• US Invasion and Aftermath: The 2003 invasion of Iraq and the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime brought greater autonomy to the Kurdistan Region. Qaladiza benefited from US support and international protection, leading to stability in the region.
• Reconstruction and Development: Since 2003, significant reconstruction efforts have been undertaken in Qaladiza, improving infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
• Economic Growth: The town has experienced economic growth, benefiting from regional stability and investments in various sectors, including oil and infrastructure.

• University of Raparin: The University of Raparin in Qaladiza serves as a major educational institution, contributing significantly to the region's intellectual development.
• Cultural Revival: A renewed focus on preserving Kurdish culture, language, and traditions has led to cultural festivals and events aimed at strengthening Kurdish identity.

• Ethnic Composition: The majority of Qaladiza’s population is Kurdish, with a strong connection to traditional Kurdish customs and values.
• Modernization and Urbanization: The town has experienced modernization, reflected in improved urban infrastructure, healthcare, and educational facilities.

• Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK): The PUK has been a dominant political force in Qaladiza, with strong support for its leaders and initiatives.
• Political Participation: The citizens of Qaladiza are actively involved in Kurdish politics, especially in the broader context of Iraq's Kurdish autonomy.

• Regional Tensions: Although Qaladiza enjoys relative stability, it remains vulnerable to broader regional tensions, particularly due to conflicts with neighboring countries.
• ISIS Threat: In 2014, the rise of ISIS posed a threat to the Kurdistan Region. Qaladiza was involved in the defense against the extremist group, demonstrating Kurdish resilience.

• Sustainable Development: Qaladiza is focused on long-term development, with ongoing efforts to diversify its economy, improve infrastructure, and expand educational opportunities.

Qaladiza’s history reflects its resilience and cultural significance. From ancient times through conflicts and struggles for autonomy, the town has maintained its Kurdish identity. Today, it stands as a symbol of reconstruction and progress within the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

In the 1980s, Qaladiza faced brutal repression under Saddam Hussein's Ba'athist government. The town was destroyed during the Iran–Iraq War in the 1980s, and its residents were forcibly displaced. Most were relocated to camps near Bazzian and other parts of Iraqi Kurdistan. They remained there until the Kurdish 1991 uprising.

On 24 April 1974, the town of Qaladiza was bombed by Saddam Hussein's regime. This bombing targeted the town in retaliation for the relocation of the University of Sulaimania to Qaladiza, a political move seen as a show of solidarity with Kurdish leader Mustafa Barzani's resistance efforts. Over 425 students and teachers from the university were relocated. The bombing killed at least 400 people and left the town in ruins.

On 10 February 2013, the Kurdish Regional Government declared 24 April as University Martyrs Day, in commemoration of the victims of the Qaladiza bombing.^[2]

Qaladiza was also targeted during Saddam Hussein's Anfal Campaign, which sought to exterminate the Kurdish population. Many residents were killed or disappeared in these attacks.^[3]

The bombing of Qaladiza remains one of the most tragic chapters in the town's history.

Qaladiza has a hot-summer Mediterranean (Csa) according to Köppen climate classification with hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. Winter nights average below freezing and snow occasionally occurs.

• Geography of Kurdistan-Iraq