During the 19th century, the area was controlled by local Kurdish leaders. During World War I, heavy fighting took place in the area, and Rowanduz was pillaged by Russian soldiers in 1916. Following World War I, episodes of heavy fighting took place between the Barzani tribe – striving for the establishment of an independent Kurdish polity – and several other Kurdish tribes, and between the Barzanis and the Iraqi Government. The last of these uprisings started in 1974 and led to heavy bombardments of towns and villages in the Great Zab basin. See also Tigris–Euphrates river system References Citations Bibliography Rivers of Iraq Rivers of Kurdistan Rivers of Turkey Tributaries of the Tigris River International rivers of Asia Geography of Iraqi Kurdistan Landforms of Van Province Landforms of Hakkâri Province Erbil Governorate Dohuk Governorate