In Erbil, President Masoud Barzani commemorated the 42nd anniversary of the Barzani genocide, recalling the mass killing of over 8,000 Kurdish men by the former regime. He issued a strong warning that Iraq will never find true peace while a chauvinistic mindset continues to guide national policies.
In his statement, Barzani remembered the horrifying events of 1983, when thousands of Barzani males—some as young as nine and as old as ninety—were taken from their homes. They were never seen again, their lives ended in the deserts of southern regions. Families were left with no answers and no graves to mourn.
Barzani reflected on decades of crimes against the Kurdish people, saying that the genocide was part of a broader effort to destroy Kurdish identity. He added that this ideology has not vanished. “That same mentality still exists,” he said. “And as long as it does, Iraq cannot achieve stability.”
He called for serious steps from the federal authorities, urging official recognition of the genocide and justice for the families. “We need action, not silence,” he said. “The victims deserve truth, respect, and compensation.”
In Erbil, thousands gathered to honor the memory of the victims. Prayers, speeches, and candlelight events filled the city, reminding the world of the pain that still lingers.
Barzani’s message was clear: only when all communities are treated with dignity can peace take hold.