The Gonbad war begins · Jang-e Gonbad

Culture of origin: Turkmen · Historical

Holiday sources: Turkmen

After the 1979 revolution the Turkmen of Turkmen Sahra demanded back the land taken from them under the Pahlavis, recognition of their language and culture, a share in running the region and the keeping of their councils; their leaders in Gonbad-e Kavus boycotted the referendum on the Islamic Republic. On 6 Farvardin 1358 (26 March 1979) fighting broke out between Turkmen fighters, joined by leftist guerrillas, and the revolutionary committees and Revolutionary Guards, backed by the air force. It lasted until a ceasefire on 3 April that widened the region's self-rule, with over 100 dead on both sides. The talks that followed failed, and in Bahman 1358 (February 1980) the Guards attacked again, crushed the revolt, dissolved the councils, and arrested, drove out or killed the Turkmen leaders (see Turkmen leaders killed). Estimates for both rounds are about 300 dead, fighters and civilians, with hundreds wounded and dozens to hundreds arrested.