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Kurdistan Autonomous Oblast (also known colloquially as '''Red Kurdistan''' from Kurdish ''Kurdistana Sor'', Azerbaijani ''Qızıl Kürdistan'') was a Soviet Autonomous Oblast that lasted for six years from 1923 to 1929 . Its capital was Lachin (Laçîn in Kurdish). The area between Nagorno-Karabakh and Zangezur became inhabited by nomadic Kurdish tribes in 18th Century . Eventually, this population became the majority in most parts of the region, particularly around Lachin, Kalbajar (Kelbajar in Kurdish), and Qubadli (Qûbadlî in Kurdish). The region became a part of Azerbaijan SSR in 1920 . In 1923, the region was given the status of Oblast and Autonomy . Although Kurds constituted the majority of population in some other parts of Azerbaijan , such as Zardaba, Sadarak, and Teyvaz, these territories were not given autonomy or incorporated with "Kurdistan". The autonomous oblast was named Kurdistan AO, not Kurdish AO, most possibly in an effort to exploit the Kurdish aspirations for independence that fell following the Treaty Of Lausanne . Official language was Kurmanji and Kurdish cultural life flourished during the era of autonomy. Kurdistan AO drew criticism from both Armenia and Azerbaijan, former blaming the Soviet authorities for creating a Buffer Zone in Lachin Corridor , the latter for "stealing" land from Azerbaijani territory. In 1929 , the autonomous oblast was dissolved. Following this incident, an ambitious campaign for turkification of Azerbaijani Kurds was started. During the Great Purge , most of its leaders were exiled to Central Asia and Siberia and during the Deportation Period in 1940 - 1944 , the majority of Kurdish population were settled in Kazakh SSR and other republics. In 1992 , Lachin Kurdish Republic was declared by a group led by Waqil Mustafayev. However, during the Nagorno-Karabakh War , all efforts of establishment were hampered. Mustafayev took refuge in Italy . |
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