As we commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Anfal operations in Badinan, we remember and honor the innocent people who fell victim to these genocidal campaigns. In 1988, 182,000 innocent people across Kurdistan, including children, women, old and young, were systematically targeted and killed by the former Iraqi regime.

The crime of Anfal is recognized by the Iraqi High Criminal Court as genocide, crime against humanity and war crime. Therefore, we reiterate that the Iraqi government must compensate the families of the victims as soon as possible; more services must be provided to the families of the victims and every effort should be made to document the crime of Anfal and make it internationally recognized as genocide.

We thank and remember the courage of the people of Erbil, Bahrka and their surroundings who came to the aid of the victims of Badinan in the forced camp of Jezhnikan. Their kindness and humanity will never be forgotten.

The best way to honor the victims of the Anfal is to provide better services to the families of the victims, to strengthen our internal solidarity and unity, to prevent the repetition of crimes such as Anfal and to work for its further international recognition.

The bitter history of the Iraqi people must be a lesson and encourage us to work together towards mutual acceptance and ensuring the rights of all communities in the new Iraq, so that the tragedies of the past are not repeated and freedom and constitutional rights of all communities are protected.

Nechirvan Barzani
The President of the Kurdistan Region

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, August 24, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received today in Erbil Mr. Hakan Fidan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.

At the meeting, attended by the Vice Presidents of the Kurdistan Region, the two sides discussed Turkey’s relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, areas of mutual cooperation, Erbil-Baghdad relations and differences, and the ongoing negotiations between them. They also discussed the situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

President Nechirvan Barzani stressed that the Kurdistan Region attaches great importance to its relations with Turkey, as the two sides share common economic and trade interests. The President expressed the Kurdistan Region’s keenness to expand Erbil-Ankara relations in all fields. He also thanked Turkey for its support to the Kurdistan Region in all areas, especially during the difficult periods, stating that the Kurdistan Region remembers Turkey’s support and assistance.

For his part, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stressed that Turkey attaches special importance to its relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Mr. Fidan praised the peace and stability of Erbil and the Kurdistan Region and expressed his country’s readiness to expand relations and cooperation between the two sides in all sectors. He also thanked President Nechirvan Bazrani for his role in promoting relations of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region with Turkey.

The two sides also exchanged views on the issue of exporting oil from the Kurdistan Region through the Turkish Ceyhan Port.

President Nechirvan Barzani received today in Erbil the incoming US Consul General, Mr. Mark Straw. The President welcomed the new Consul General to the Kurdistan Region, wished him success, and expressed support for his mission. The President also expressed the Kurdistan Region’s keenness to develop relations with the United States.

For his part, Consul General Straw reiterated the US commitment to promoting relations with the Kurdistan Region and to developing mutual cooperation.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-receives-the-new-consul-general-of-the-us/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, August 23, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received today in Erbil, the United Kingdom’s Minister of State for Security, Mr. Tom Tugendhat, and his accompanying delegation.

In the meeting, attended by the UK Ambassador to Iraq and the UK Consul General in the Kurdistan Region, the latest developments in the fight against terrorism and the threat of ISIS, the upcoming elections and the internal situation in the Kurdistan Region, Erbil-Baghdad relations, illegal immigration to the UK, and the fight against drugs were discussed.

Both sides stressed the importance of the UK’s joint cooperation with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region to reduce illegal immigration and to combat organized crimes. They agreed that joint regional cooperation is necessary to prevent the spread of drugs in the region. In this regard, they also discussed a memorandum of understanding to be signed between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the UK Government.

Regarding the internal situation in the Kurdistan Region, both sides agreed on the necessity of strengthening solidarity and unity and the importance of holding elections. With regards to the elections, the President stressed that the Kurdistan Region is committed to holding general elections which grants legitimacy to the Kurdistan Region.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-meets-with-the-uk-secretary-of-state-for-security-affairs/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, August 22, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received today in Erbil, the incoming Consul General of India, Mr. Madan Gopal, and his accompanying delegation. The President welcomed the new Consul General and expressed support for his mission to further promote the bilateral relations of India with the Kurdistan Region.

President Nechirvan Barzani underscored the multifaceted potential that India, as a nation, holds for the collective advancement of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. The significance of facilitating direct air travel between the Kurdistan Region and India also resonated as a pivotal consideration.

Consul General Madan Gopal, for his part, expressed his profound contentment in embarking upon his responsibilities in the Kurdistan Region. He affirmed his commitment to promote the bilateral relations between his country and the Kurdistan Region.