President Barzani: "No Obstacle Can Stand in the Way of This Sacred Duty" as KDP Marks Its 80th Anniversary

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - Kurdistan Democratic Party President Masoud Barzani issued a powerful and deeply personal message on Sunday, August 16, 2026, marking the 80th founding anniversary of the KDP, honoring the party's martyrs, Peshmerga, and fighters, and delivering a direct message to the party's members and supporters that no obstacle can stand in the way of the sacred duty of serving the Kurdish people.

"On the occasion of August 16 and the 80th founding anniversary of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, I extend my warmest congratulations to the proud families of martyrs, the heroic Peshmerga, all the supporters and members of the party, and all the people of Kurdistan," Barzani wrote, opening his message with the words "In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful."

Born in a Difficult Time to Restore Hope

President Barzani framed the KDP's founding as an act of national will at a moment of acute hardship, describing the party as having been established to restore hope and strength to the Kurdish people during one of the most difficult periods in their history. Across its eight decades of struggle, he said, the party has been a school for fighters and revolutionaries of Kurdistan and has served in every phase as a steadfast defender of the Kurdish people's legitimate rights.

"The party was founded to restore hope and strength to the Kurdish people in a difficult and harsh time," Barzani wrote. "Throughout its history of struggle, the party has been a school for the fighters and revolutionaries of Kurdistan, and in every phase it has been a steadfast defender of the legitimate rights of the Kurdish people. The party, in the past, present, and future, is an instrument for serving the people and achieving national and patriotic goals and values."

Coexistence, Brotherhood, and Constitutional Partnership

President Barzani used the anniversary to restate the KDP's foundational belief in coexistence, brotherhood, and cohesion among all national and religious components of Kurdistan and all political parties of Kurdistan and Iraq. He described the principle of partnership and respect for the constitution as the guarantor of stability, calm, and prosperity across all of Iraq.

"The party has a deep belief in coexistence, brotherhood, and cohesion among all national and religious components and all political parties of Kurdistan and Iraq," he wrote, "and considers the principle of partnership and respect for the constitution a guarantor of stability, calm, and prosperity throughout Iraq."

A Direct Message: The Party Is the Source of Strength

The most striking passage of Masoud Barzani's message was his direct address to the party's members, supporters, and popular base, delivering a statement of confidence and resolve that framed the KDP not as an institution dependent on circumstance but as the living source of the Kurdish people's collective strength.

"My message to the supporters, members, and base of the party on August 16 is this: the party is the source of the strength of the Kurdish people," Barzani wrote. "The primary duty of the party is to serve the people of Kurdistan, and with reliance on Almighty God and the will, determination, and ambition of you and all the people of Kurdistan, no obstacle or barrier can stand in the way of this sacred duty."

Honoring the Martyrs and the Party's Loyal Base

President Barzani closed his message with a tribute to every martyr, Peshmerga, fighter, and hero who gave their lives across the full length of the party's struggle, and expressed appreciation for the role of the party's cadres, members, and devoted popular base who have supported the party with loyalty and tireless dedication in every circumstance, recording history and pride for their people.

"On this occasion, we hold high the memory of all the martyrs, Peshmerga, fighters, and heroes who sacrificed throughout the party's struggle," he wrote. "I also express my appreciation for the role of the cadres, members, and beloved supporters of the party, who faithfully and tirelessly supported their party in every situation and recorded history and pride for their people."