Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani issued a statement on the 61st anniversary of the victorious September Revolution that started in 1961 and led to the historic March 11th, 1970 Autonomy Agreement between the then Iraqi government and the Kurdistani leadership. Below is the statement:

Today, we celebrate the 61st anniversary of the great September Revolution, and pay tribute to its leader, the legendary Mustafa Barzani, his companions and all the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of their people and their country. We salute the families of the fallen heroes and all the Peshmerga fighters who served bravely and with loyalty during the difficult days of the revolution.

The September Revolution was the restoration of national identity of the people of Kurdistan. It was the revolution of all layers and communities of society brought together under a unified leadership. In one of the most difficult stages of the history of the people of Kurdistan and the region, the September Revolution confronted the enemy with a strong will and an unwavering belief. It forced the Iraqi state to recognize the rights of the people of Kurdistan and laid the ground for all their future achievements. It was a people’s revolution which turned its triumph into an opportunity for more tolerance, common struggle and greater unity among the people of Kurdistan.

The September Revolution showed that no military power can break the aspirations of the people of Kurdistan for life and freedom. The victory of the revolution was an outcome of the solidarity and unity of all communities in Kurdistan. Therefore on this day, we reemphasize the importance of unity among all political parties of the Kurdistan Region. This is the only path to ensure and preserve the constitutional rights of the Kurdistan Region and its political and federal status.

Tribute to the great September Revolution and to the memory of the fallen heroes.

Nechirvan Barzani
The President of the Kurdistan Region