'We Never Left Kirkuk — The KDP Has Always Been Here,' Fazil Mirani
“The KDP has always been in Kirkuk, and we continue to be here. We must look at ourselves through the eyes of the people, not only politically but also in terms of administration and national responsibility," he added.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In an address, Fazil Mirani, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Politburo’s Administrative Body, declared during the reopening of the KDP’s Kirkuk-Garmiyan organizational office that the party never abandoned Kirkuk—even during the city’s most turbulent times.
His remarks underscored the party’s long-standing presence and commitment to the diverse communities of Kirkuk and to the broader Kurdish national cause.
“We did not return to Kirkuk—because we never left,” Mirani proclaimed, drawing resounding applause. “The KDP has always been in Kirkuk, and we continue to be here. We must look at ourselves through the eyes of the people, not only politically but also in terms of administration and national responsibility.”
The ceremony, held on Saturday at the newly reopened office on Arafah Street, marked the KDP’s formal return to Kirkuk after an eight-year hiatus following the October 16, 2017 events. Yet, for Mirani, the party’s essence and presence never departed—only its physical offices did.
Mirani used the occasion to reflect on the deep roots of Kurdish identity in Kirkuk. He emphasized that Kurdish nationalism, a pillar of the KDP’s vision, is not merely tied to party structures but lives on through the people’s growing awareness and sense of belonging. “Inside the Kurdistan Region, we speak of party activity,” he said, “but outside it, our discourse is national.”
He urged political actors to focus on the substance of governance, rather than superficial optics. “We must judge ourselves based on the essence of our actions, not just their surface. We must be accountable to our people—politically, administratively, and nationally.”
Highlighting the KDP’s historical and military role in defending Kirkuk, Mirani recalled how the province turned to President Masoud Barzani and the Peshmerga during the fight against ISIS. “When ISIS threatened Kirkuk, it was the people of this province who called on President Barzani to send Peshmerga forces. They defended Kirkuk all the way until the battle for Mosul,” he noted.
He took a critical tone when addressing attempts to marginalize the Kurdish presence in Kirkuk, warning that some political actors are building influence on the back of Kurdish fragility. “Those who think themselves powerful today are standing on the fragility of the Kurds. If they were truly strong, they wouldn’t need to violate the constitution or monopolize salaries and food distribution,” he said pointedly.
Mirani also offered a message of self-reflection to the Kurdish political establishment. “We must ask ourselves why our rights are being denied. Why have we succeeded in some areas? We often focus on the outcomes but ignore the underlying causes. We must understand the roots, not just the results.”
In a stirring conclusion, he stressed the KDP’s dedication to unity, reconciliation, and internal accountability. “We believe in returning to ourselves, because unity and reconciliation are essential to rebuilding Kurdish strength and revitalizing the parliament and government of the Kurdistan Region. Only then can we bring back those who have turned away from the alliance.”
The reopening of the Kirkuk-Garmiyan Office—attended by senior party leaders and local supporters—was more than a symbolic gesture. It was a reaffirmation of the KDP’s enduring role in Kirkuk and its ongoing mission to promote national unity, constitutional rights, and inclusive governance in one of Iraq’s most contested and culturally rich regions.
