Kurdistan Democratic Party Marks 79th Anniversary, Reaffirming Commitment to Kurdish Rights

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) on Saturday marks its 79th anniversary, a pivotal date in modern Kurdish history that also celebrates the birth of its leader, President Masoud Barzani. The party, established under the leadership of Mullah Mustafa Barzani, has been a central force in the political landscape of the Kurdistan Region, shaping decades of political and armed struggle based on a platform of self-determination and democratic values.

On the eve of the anniversary, senior party officials issued statements congratulating supporters and reaffirming the KDP's core principles, including its approach to resolving outstanding issues between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi Federal Government.

A Legacy of Struggle and Democratic Principles

Established on August 16, 1946, concurrent with the declaration of the Republic of Kurdistan in Mahabad, the Kurdistan Democratic Party began its journey under the leadership of General Mustafa Barzani. The party defines itself as a democratic, national, and popular organization committed to human rights, social justice, sustainable development, and peaceful coexistence.

For nearly eight decades, the KDP's stated mission has been to champion the struggle of the people of Kurdistan, primarily in Southern Kurdistan (the Kurdistan Region of Iraq), and to seek recognition for the Kurdish issue on both regional and international stages. The party's foundational principles emphasize political, national, religious, and cultural pluralism, as well as freedoms, equality, and the right to self-determination for the Kurdish nation. It continues to strive for these goals through democratic and civil methods, adhering to the path laid out by the late Mullah Mustafa Barzani.

The party's first congress was held in Baghdad in 1946, where Mustafa Barzani was elected its president, with Sheikh Latif Hafid and Kaka Ziyad of Koya serving as deputy presidents.

At its ninth congress in 1979, the KDP elected President Masoud Barzani as its leader. From 1980 until 1991, he led several significant campaigns against the former Iraqi regime, playing a primary role in the formation of the Kurdistan Front and serving as the field commander of the 1991 popular uprising.

A Dual Anniversary: The Party and Its President

The date of August 16 holds dual significance, marking both the founding of the KDP and the birth of President Masoud Barzani in Mahabad in 1946. His life has been intertwined with the party's struggle since its inception.

President Barzani returned to Southern Kurdistan from Mahabad in 1947. In 1961, with the outbreak of the September Revolution, he was forced to abandon his studies, and on May 20, 1962, he officially became a Peshmerga.

His involvement in both political and armed struggle was continuous. He was a member of the negotiating delegation that led to the March 11, 1970 agreement, which granted autonomy for Kurdistan.

He was elected as a member of the Party's Central Committee in 1970 and became its president in 1979.

Throughout the 1980s, he played a fundamental role in the Kurdistan Front. In 1988, he was the general commander of the Khwakurk epic, and in 1991, he was the field leader of the uprising and supervised the epic of Kore on April 7.

Following the uprising, in March 1991, he called for the election of a National Assembly and the establishment of a government. In the 1992 election, he ran for leadership and won the first vote.

His subsequent roles included serving as President of the Iraqi Governing Council in April 2004 and being elected President of the Kurdistan Region on June 14, 2005. A defining moment of his leadership was organizing the independence referendum for Southern Kurdistan on September 25, 2017. He was re-elected as party president at the KDP's 14th Congress.

KDP Politburo on Erbil-Baghdad Relations

In a statement issued on Friday, the Politburo of the Kurdistan Democratic Party congratulated its supporters and the people of Kurdistan on the 79th anniversary. The statement affirmed the party's sincere loyalty and concern for resolving the outstanding issues facing the Kurdistan Region.

The Politburo indicated that the KDP has been in continuous communication and dialogue to find solutions to problems within the framework of Iraq through peaceful means and mutual understanding.

The statement emphasized the party's goal of ensuring the people of Kurdistan, including its steadfast salaried employees, receive their constitutional rights and entitlements.

Furthermore, the Politburo reiterated the party's full support for resolving all issues between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Federal Government in accordance with the constitution and existing political agreements.

It also stressed the importance of the principles of partnership, balance, and consensus for resolving issues in Iraq.

KDP Vice President Masrour Barzani Extends Congratulations

Marking the occasion, Masrour Barzani, Vice President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, sent a congratulatory message to President Barzani on Friday, for his birthday.

"May the celebration of the birth of the father, president, leader, Peshmerga of Kurdistan, and the anniversary of the establishment of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, be blessed for all of us, and especially for the proud families of the martyrs and the heroic Peshmerga," the message stated.

Addressing President Barzani directly, the Vice President added, "I wish that God Almighty protects you and that you are healthy. I wish we could all serve at the level of your excellency's greatness."

The message from the Vice President Masrour Barzani also included a pledge to follow his leadership. "We pledge to make your excellency's path, command, vision, and views for a free, peaceful, stable, prosperous, and just Kurdistan our daily work program and our national duty," it read. The message concluded with well wishes: "May you always remain for us, may you always be at the peak of success, and may the Party also be in continuous progress and success."