Shafaq News/President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, commemorated the 63rdanniversary of the Great September Revolution, paying tribute to its leader,Mustafa Barzani, and the Peshmerga fighters.
In anofficial statement, Barzani expressed deep respect for the sacrifices madeduring the revolution, saying, "We honor the memory of the late MustafaBarzani, the leader of the revolution, along with the courageous Peshmergas andall those who contributed their strength and resolve." He extended heartfeltgreetings to the surviving Peshmergas, wishing them "enduring health andsafety."
Barzaniemphasized the revolution’s significance as a reflection of "the core ofnational consciousness, identity, and pride among the people ofKurdistan." He highlighted how it marked a crucial moment in the fight forKurdish rights and laid the foundation for future achievements.
Thepresident reaffirmed Kurdistan’s commitment to defending its constitutionalrights and maintaining unity. "We remain committed to upholding the nobleprinciples and values of the revolution in our pursuit of freedom anddemocracy," he said, expressing optimism for the future.
Barzaniconcluded by honoring the memory of the martyrs of Kurdistan and pledging tocontinue working toward fulfilling their aspirations for a brighter future.
TheSeptember Revolution is important in Kurdish history as it laid the foundationfor Kurdish political movements and aspirations for autonomy, which continue toinfluence Kurdish politics today. It also marked the emergence of thePeshmerga, Kurdish armed forces, as a symbol of resistance and a key player inKurdish self-defense efforts.
TheRevolution, which began on September 11, 1961, led by Mustafa Barzani, wasfueled by long-standing grievances over the Iraqi government's refusal torecognize Kurdish national rights and its oppressive policies towards theKurdish population. The Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP), under the leadership ofMustafa Barzani, organized the Peshmerga forces to fight for Kurdish autonomy,cultural rights, and greater political freedom within Iraq.
The conflictlasted for over a decade, with intermittent fighting and negotiations betweenKurdish forces and the Iraqi government. In 1970, the revolution led to theAutonomy Agreement between the Iraqi government and the Kurds, which promisedto grant the Kurdish region autonomy. However, the agreement was never fullyimplemented, and tensions eventually escalated into renewed conflict.