President Barzani, Mazloum Abdi's strategic meeting sparks calls for Kurdish unity

Jan. 18, 2025

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - A pivotal meeting in Erbil between President Masoud Barzani and Mazloum Abdi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has drawn extensive attention and underlined the importance of Kurdish unity in an unpredictable Middle Eastern landscape.

Political figures and observers have welcomed the discussion as a keystone for nurturing solidarity among Kurdish leaders and furthering peace processes in the region.

In an era of everchanging geopolitical dynamics, the latest meeting between President Masoud Barzani and Mazloum Abdi has been labeled as "very important" by Keskin Bayındır, Co-Chair of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP).

Speaking to the media, Bayındır underscored that the dialogue in Erbil was critical for protecting Western Kurdistan and safeguarding the collective rights of the Kurdish people.

Bayındır expounded that President Barzani reaffirmed the message of Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), underlining its importance in fostering the peace process in Turkey and Northern Kurdistan.

Emphasizing the significance of unity, Bayındır stated, "Kurdish political forces and leaders should struggle based on the message of unity and solidarity of the Kurdish people."

Emphasis on the Kurdish Flag

The meeting also touched upon symbolic elements of Kurdish unity.

According to Bayındır, President Barzani insisted that Kurdish political and military activities should be conducted under the Kurdish national flag rather than party banners, a move that intends to foster collective identity over factionalism.

AKP's Perspective on the Meeting

Orhan Miroğlu, a senior member of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), added a broader geopolitical context to the discussion.

In a post on his official X account, he stated, "The status quo in the Middle East is changing. How the Kurds navigate this transformation, given their fragmented demographic across four countries, is a crucial question."

Kürtler arası birlik eskiden çok güçlü düşmanlara karşı daha güçlü olmak için savunulurdu.
Şartlar çok değişti.
Birlik içinde davranmak bugün artık hem Kürtler, hem Kürtler’in birarada yaşadığı halklar için zorunlu, faydalı ve gereklidir.
İki yüzyıldır süren savaşlar herkesi… pic.twitter.com/8VsG0bTkrm

— Orhan Miroğlu (@OrhanMiroglu) January 16, 2025

Miroğlu described President Barzani as "the most respected, most reliable and most powerful [Kurdish] leader alive" and expressed confidence that the Erbil meeting would contribute constructively to ongoing regional processes.

Context of the Meeting

President Barzani’s office revealed that the meeting focused on key security and political developments in Syria.

It highlighted the need for Syrian Kurdish parties to resolve their issues through peaceful means, without external interference.

The parties discussed adopting a united stance to engage with Syria's evolving political framework, aspiring to secure Kurdish rights while encouraging peace and stability in the region.

The discussions also urged Syrian Kurdish parties to thwart the recurrence of the tragedies that have afflicted both the Kurdish population and other communities in Syria.

A Step Toward Regional Cooperation

As Middle Eastern geopolitics experience noteworthy changes, the Erbil meeting between President Barzani and Mazloum Abdi has revived appeals for a united Kurdish front.

Bayındır expressed optimism, noticing that a united approach among Kurdish factions could lead to momentous political gains, especially in peace processes involving Turkey and Northern Kurdistan.

The meeting not only serves as evidence of the crucial role of dialogue but also underlines the strategic significance of collaboration in dealing with the shared challenges faced by the Kurdish people across national boundaries.