President Nechirvan Barzani Commemorates 20th Anniversary of February 1st Tragedy in Erbil
Erbil, Kurdistan Region - In a heartfelt remembrance ceremony, President Nechirvan Barzani honored the martyrs of the February 1st tragedy in Erbil. President Barzani reflected on the significance of the occasion, stating, "We aim to make the memory of the martyrs of February 1st a foundation for unity, harmony, acceptance of others, and collaborative efforts in better serving the present and securing a brighter future for our people and nation."
In a post on the "X" platform on Thursday, February 1, 2024, President Nechirvan Barzani expressed, "Today, we proudly remember our comrades and colleagues, the eternal martyrs of February 1st, with deep reverence and honor."
President Nechirvan Barzani added, "The martyrs were a constellation of distinguished individuals from the Kurdistan Democratic Party, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, and other entities. They were targeted in a heinous terrorist crime. Let us make their memory a basis for unity, harmony, acceptance of others, and collaborative efforts to better serve the present and the future of our people and our homeland."
ئهمڕۆ به شكۆوه يادى ههڤاڵان و هاوكارانمان، شههيدانى نهمرى يهكى شوبات دهكهينهوه و سهرى ڕێز و نهوازشيان بۆ دادهنوێنين.
— Nechirvan Barzani (@IKRPresident) February 1, 2024
با يادى شههيدان كه پۆلێك سهركرده و كاديرى ديار و بهتواناى پارتى و يهكێتى و لايهنهكانى ديكه و خهڵكى كوردستان بوون و كرانه ئامانجى… pic.twitter.com/sXmJ1yCfFz
The commemorative event, attended by the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Masrour Barzani, marked the 20th anniversary of the February 1st tragedy in Erbil. During the ceremony, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani laid a wreath of flowers at the memorial monument dedicated to the victims of the tragedy.
The attendees included representatives from the Kurdistan Region Presidency, several government ministers, high-ranking officials in the region, consuls of foreign nations, and the families of the tragedy's martyrs. The family of the martyr Beshro Dzayee, with a wreath carrying the image of Beshro and his daughter Gina, also participated in the ceremony, paying their respects at the memorial monument.
This Thursday marks the 20th anniversary of the suicide bombings on February 1, 2004, during the first day of Eid al-Adha, targeting the headquarters of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan in Erbil. A statement from the Ministry of Martyrs and Anfal Affairs in the Kurdistan Regional Government, issued on Wednesday, recalled the tragic events, noting that 103 government officials, leaders, party members, Peshmerga forces, and civilians were martyred, with others sustaining injuries.
Despite the terrorists' attempt to sow discord and disrupt the joy of the Eid celebration, the blood of the martyrs and victims has become a source of strength, promoting coexistence, harmony, and the unity of the Kurdistan people.
In the statement, the Ministry emphasized the need to strengthen Kurdistan's sovereignty and unite the efforts of the people in combating terrorism and terrorists. The anniversary serves as a reminder to honor the martyrs and uphold their memory, with a commitment to tirelessly serve the families of the martyrs.