KDP Celebrates 78th Anniversary, Reaffirms Commitment to Kurdish identity, Unity

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) marked its 78th anniversary, commemorating its establishment on August 16, 1946.

The Political Bureau of the KDP released a statement honoring the party's decades of struggle and sacrifice in the pursuit of Kurdish rights and identity.

The statement emphasized that the anniversary is not merely the celebration of a political party, but also the commemoration of an idea and a path that has played a crucial role in the Kurdish liberation movement.

The KDP, born out of oppression and suffering, has remained at the forefront of efforts to achieve significant milestones for the Kurdish people, an achievement the party proudly commemorates today.

"The KDP has been at the forefront of sacrifice, embodying the identity of the Kurdish people," the statement read. "Step by step, in line with the circumstances and opportunities, it has achieved numerous significant milestones for the Kurdish people, which we proudly commemorate today."

The KDP highlighted its continuous struggle through various stages, from the monarchy to the republic, as well as during the Great September and May revolutions, and the March 1991 uprising.

Throughout these periods, the party has led armed, political, diplomatic, and media efforts, representing all classes, ethnicities, and sects in Kurdistan.

"The KDP has operated with the spirit of Kurdishness, dialogue, brotherhood, and coexistence, both locally and across other parts of Kurdistan, working tirelessly for the success of our legitimate cause and the realization of our rights," the statement continued.

Looking ahead, the KDP reiterated its commitment to a peaceful and stable Kurdistan. The party also emphasized the importance of national unity and solidarity as the region approaches the sixth session of the Kurdistan Parliament elections, scheduled for October 20.

The KDP called for a clean, transparent, and democratic process, allowing Kurdish voters to freely elect their representatives in a peaceful atmosphere.

"Our party has tirelessly worked to foster unity, showing the greatest flexibility to achieve it," the statement noted.

On the regional level, the KDP reaffirmed its dedication to maintaining balanced relations with neighboring countries while ensuring that the Kurdistan Region is not used as a platform to threaten the security of these countries' borders.

The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of the party's commitment to continuing on the path of Kurdish identity, nationalism, and patriotism, as outlined by President Massoud Barzani.

The KDP also honored the legacy of its founder, the late Mustafa Barzani, and the architect of reconciliation, Idris Barzani, while renewing its pledge to preserve the experiences and achievements gained through the sacrifices of Kurdish martyrs.

"Victory to the legitimate struggle of our people. Long live the sacred Kurdish flag," the statement declared, expressing gratitude to the party's members, supporters, and especially the heroic Peshmergas for their unwavering dedication.

As the KDP marks this milestone, it remains steadfast in its mission to protect the Kurdish people's rights and continue the legacy of those who fought for Kurdistan's sovereignty and freedom.

Statement of the Political Bureau of the Kurdistan Democratic Party:

To the tireless people of Kurdistan,  
To the proud families of martyrs,  
To the heroic Peshmergas,

Today marks the seventy-eighth anniversary of the establishment of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) on August 16, 1946, born in the darkness of oppression and suffering. Since then, the KDP has been at the forefront of sacrifice, embodying the identity of the Kurdish people. Step by step, in line with the circumstances and opportunities, it has achieved numerous significant milestones for the Kurdish people, which we proudly commemorate today.

The anniversary of the KDP's establishment is not just the anniversary of a political party but also the celebration of an idea and a path that played an unparalleled and vital role in the Kurdish liberation movement and the enduring struggle of our people.

Dear citizens of Kurdistan,  
Dear comrades and members of our party,

Throughout different stages of its struggle—during the monarchy, the republic, the Great September Revolution, the May Revolution, and the March 1991 uprising—our party has engaged in armed, political, diplomatic, and media efforts. It has been a leading movement rooted in the masses and representing all classes, ethnicities, religions, and sects in Kurdistan. The KDP has operated with the spirit of Kurdishness, dialogue, brotherhood, and coexistence, both locally and across other parts of Kurdistan, working tirelessly for the success of our legitimate cause and the realization of our rights.

Today, as we celebrate the glorious anniversary of August 16, our people have navigated long and challenging journeys, overcoming countless obstacles, and defusing many threats and conspiracies, looking forward to a brighter future. The KDP, despite facing conspiracies and genocides, remains the vanguard of Kurdish identity and perseverance, steadfast in its revolutionary stance, political positions, resistance, and courageous defense of the Kurdish people's territory and rights. It is the hope of the masses and the strength of our internal unity.

Dear people of Kurdistan,

On the occasion of August 16, we are committed to advancing towards a more peaceful and stable Kurdistan, strengthening the political, economic, and diplomatic standing of the region. As we approach the sixth session of the Kurdistan Parliament elections, set for October 20, we aim to conduct a clean, transparent, and democratic process, free from interference, allowing Kurdish voters to freely elect their representatives in a peaceful atmosphere. Achieving this requires national unity and solidarity, a unity that our party has tirelessly worked to foster, showing the greatest flexibility to achieve it.

Dear citizens,

Our party, driven by a commitment to solving regional problems and implementing the constitution, has engaged in continuous dialogue within the framework of Iraq to find solutions to differences. These solutions should serve as the foundation for coexistence among the diverse communities of the Federal Republic of Iraq.

At the regional level, our party has always strived to maintain good and balanced relations with neighboring countries, prioritizing the peace and security of the Kurdish people. The Kurdistan Region will not be used as a platform to threaten the security of these countries' borders, and we will respect the sovereignty of all parties involved.

On this glorious occasion, we reaffirm our commitment to the Kurdish people and President Massoud Barzani to continue on the path of Kurdish identity, nationalism, and patriotism, protecting the legitimate political structure of the Kurdistan Region and our achievements, while strengthening the principles of reconciliation, democracy, tolerance, and coexistence.

On this meaningful and sacred occasion, we extend:

- Greetings and respect to the founder, leader, and architect of the Kurdish path, the late Mustafa Barzani.
- Greetings to the architect of reconciliation, Idris Barzani, who is always remembered.
- Greetings to the souls of all martyrs who fought for Kurdistan's sovereignty, freedom, and liberation.

On the occasion of August 16, we renew our commitment to the martyrs' legacy, continuing their path of Kurdish identity and patriotism, preserving the experience and achievements born from their precious sacrifices.

On this historic occasion, we express our deep gratitude to our comrades, cadres, members, supporters, and friends, especially the heroic Peshmergas. We deeply appreciate their role in defending our party's values and their unwavering dedication to fulfilling the mission and promise they have made.

Victory to the legitimate struggle of our people,  
Long live the sacred Kurdish flag!