Turkish FM expresses condolences to Kurdistan PM on passing of Erbil governor

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region’s Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Sunday received a phone call from Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who offered his condolences on the passing of late Erbil governor Firsat Sofi, according to a press release.

The two officials also discussed “bilateral relations and reiterated the importance of a coordinated response to the global [coronavirus] pandemic.” And both “agreed to the need for greater international cooperation to ensure nations are better equipped to fight the spread of the coronavirus.”

The Turkish minister “expressed his sincere condolences at the recent passing of Erbil Governor, Dr. Firsat Sofi,” a statement from Barzani’s office read.

Sofi passed away at 42 due to health complications from the coronavirus disease. He died in Ankara, Turkey, where he was receiving treatment there for 30 days after his health deteriorated due to the coronavirus. Following his death, his body was transported on a private plane to Erbil.

Read More: Governor of Kurdistan Region’s capital Erbil dies from COVID-19 aged 42

In mid-October 2019, Sofi assumed the governorship of Erbil city, after he served as a member of the Kurdistan Parliament. Sofi also used to be a lecturer at Erbil polytechnical university.

He was born in 1978 in the Gazne district of Erbil and is now survived by four children.

While Sofi was admitted to the hospital, his deputy Hemn Qadir assumed the governorship.

Cavusoglu also expressed his condolences on the passing of Sheikh Abdulla Barzani, a renewed figure of Barzan area in the Kurdistan Region, who also died from COVID-19 on Friday. The deceased was the cousin of former president of Kurdistan Region, Masoud Barzani, who currently heads the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).

For his part, Barzani thanked Cavusoglu for his well wishes, the statement concluded.

Editing by Khrush Najari