Garmian Region

The term (Garmiyan) is a Kurdish word used to denote the hot and dry area in Kurdistan, which describes, indicates and gives information about location and climate.[5]

The region was for years primarily a rural one, with villagers herding cattle and involved in agriculture.[6] It is a strategically important region between the oil rich Kirkuk and its proximity to the Iranian border.[7] From the early 1970s onwards, the Baathist Government depopulated the villages along the border to Iran, and resettled their population in collective villages.[7] In mid 1970s the region became a stronghold for the Kurdish resistance under the lead of Nashirwan Mustafa of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the left-wing militia Komala.[7] They were against the authority of tribal leaders and landowners which were often dispossessed. Their land was then distributed among the poor, rural population.[8] Thus they held significant support in the region and they were able to recruit new members.[8] In March 1987, the region was included in a "prohibited area" and the Iraqi army began to destroy villages and relocate their inhabitants.[9] Villagers who surrendered where sent to collective villages.[9]

The Garmiyan Region in Southern Kurdistan (Northern Iraq) and is known for having a warm and dry climate, occasionally reaching over 50 °C in the summer. It is warmest in July and coldest in January. The temperature rarely reaches below 0 °C in the winter. According to the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system, Garmiyan has a Semi-arid climate (BSh).

• Kawa Garmeyani

• Garmekan (Sasanian province located in modern day Kurdistan Region of Iraq)