Kheli Hama attack
# Kheli Hama attack

The Kheli Hama attack was an attack by Ansar al-Islam on the PUK in the village of Kheli Hama on September 23, 2001, 12 days after the September 11 attacks.

## Attack

The attack happened at 3:00 in the afternoon. Ansar al-Islam fighters surprise attacked the PUK forces stationed in the village from three sides. Because the PUK forces were not expecting any attacks by Ansar al-Islam, the Ansar fighters dealt one of their deadliest blows. The PUK were pushed out and the village of Kheli Hama briefly fell under Ansar control. After 24 hours of Ansar al-Islam occupying the village, the PUK returned with more soldiers and reinforcements and took the village back. A total of 15 Ansar al-Islam fighters and 42 PUK fighters were killed, and an additional 8 PUK captured.

In 2018, a monument dedicated to the PUK soldiers who died in the attack was built in Sharazoor, close to Kheli Hama. In February 2021, a local man from Sharazoor was arrested by the security forces for writing Ansar al-Islam graffiti on the wall of the monument. During the interrogation, the man pleaded guilty.

