Sema
The late Barzani’s legacy remains a driving force in the Kurdish struggle for democracy and self-determination, with his principles of resistance and diplomacy shaping regional politics.
Kurdistan Region marks a profound milestone today as it commemorates the 122nd anniversary of the birth of Mullah Mustafa Barzani, the transformative leader who shaped the modern Kurdish liberation movement and is widely revered as the spiritual father of the Kurdish nation.
Born on March 14, 1903, in Barzan in what is now the Kurdistan Region, Barzani’s life embodied the Kurdish struggle for self-determination through decades of resistance, exile, and persistent diplomacy that laid the foundation for Kurdish autonomy.
Early Life Marked by Struggle
Barzani’s initiation into the Kurdish resistance began at the remarkably young age of three when Ottoman authorities imprisoned him alongside his mother for nine months during a campaign targeting his family following the arrest of his elder brother, Sheikh Abdul Salam Barzani.
Raised in a prominent religious family that adhered to the Naqshbandi Sufi order, Barzani’s leadership qualities emerged early. In 1919, he participated in Sheikh Mahmoud Hafid’s revolution, commanding a force of 300 fighters.
Later, Sheikh Ahmed Barzani dispatched him to Northern Kurdistan (Kurdistan of Turkey) to establish coordination with Sheikh Said Piran during the ongoing Kurdish uprising in that region.
Military Leadership and Strategic Acumen
Barzani’s reputation as a military strategist solidified during the Kurdish revolts of 1931-1932, when he led substantial forces defending the Mergasur and Shirwan fronts against British forces.
His tactical expertise and leadership capabilities garnered widespread recognition throughout Kurdish territories.
During World War II, Barzani initiated an armed uprising in the Barzan region, assembling 2,500 Peshmerga fighters under his command. This formidable force successfully wrested control of the area from the Baghdad government.
The Iraqi authorities, however, mounted a large-scale offensive to recapture Barzan after approximately 18 months. Intense battles raged between August and October 1945, with Peshmerga forces demonstrating remarkable resistance before strategically withdrawing to the Kani Rash area along the Turkish border.
Political Leadership and the Kurdistan Republic in Mahabad
A pivotal development in Kurdish political organization occurred on August 15, 1945, with the establishment of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in Iran. The party’s influence rapidly expanded throughout Kurdistan, prompting Iraqi authorities to arrest party members as they distributed political literature among the Kurdish population.
On January 22, 1946, Barzani assumed a position of honor at the declaration ceremony of the Republic of Kurdistan in Mahabad, Eastern Kurdistan (Kurdistan of Iran).
Standing to the right of President Qazi Muhammad, Barzani received appointment as commander of the republic’s army with the rank of General, further cementing his status as a central figure in the Kurdish national movement.
Soviet Exile and Return to Iraq
On July 6, 1958, Mullah Mustafa Barzani, the legendary Kurdish leader and the architect of modern Kurdish nationalism, returned to Iraq after more than a decade in exile in the Soviet Union. His return marked a turning point in Kurdish-Iraqi relations and was seen as a moment of hope for the Kurdish struggle for autonomy.
Following the collapse of the Republic, Barzani led his forces to the Soviet Union. After leading his followers on a perilous journey through Iran and the Soviet border, he was granted asylum in the USSR, where he spent nearly 11 years.
During this time, he gained political and military knowledge while maintaining his unwavering commitment to the Kurdish cause.
The 1958 Revolution and Barzani’s Return
The political landscape of Iraq underwent a radical transformation on July 14, 1958, when General Abdul Karim Qasim led a coup that overthrew the monarchy and established a republic. The new government adopted a more progressive stance toward Iraq’s diverse ethnic and religious groups, including the Kurds.
Recognizing Barzani’s influence and the need to foster Kurdish-Iraqi unity, Qasim invited him back to Iraq, offering reconciliation and promises of Kurdish rights.
In response, Barzani, along with hundreds of Kurdish fighters who had also sought refuge in the USSR, made his historic return to Iraq. Upon his arrival in Baghdad, he was welcomed as a national hero, with massive crowds of Kurds and Arabs alike celebrating his homecoming.
Barzani’s return was seen as a sign of potential cooperation between the Kurds and the new Iraqi government. He held several meetings with Qasim and expressed support for his leadership, hoping that Kurdish demands for autonomy would be met under the new republic.
However, tensions soon emerged, as Qasim’s promises of Kurdish rights remained largely unfulfilled.
Over the next few years, relations between Barzani and Qasim deteriorated. By 1961, a full-scale conflict—known as the Great September Revolution or the First Kurdish-Iraqi War—erupted, marking the beginning of a prolonged struggle for Kurdish self-rule.
Despite the eventual breakdown in relations, Barzani’s return in 1958 remains a defining moment in Kurdish history. It symbolized the resilience of the Kurdish movement and Barzani’s enduring role as the leader of his people.
The 1970 Autonomy Agreement and Its Aftermath
After the Ba’athist coup of 1968, negotiations commenced between Barzani and the Iraqi government, culminating in the 1970 Autonomy Agreement.
This landmark accord granted Kurds participation in Iraq’s governance, recognized Kurdish as an official language in educational institutions, and promised self-rule for Kurdistan.
The Iraqi government subsequently violated the agreement, aligning with Iran against Kurdish interests and signing the Algiers Agreement in 1975.
Legacy and Final Years
Following the setbacks of 1975, Mullah Mustafa Barzani’s health deteriorated, necessitating medical treatment in the United States. He passed away in 1979. His remains were initially interred in Shno, Eastern Kurdistan, before being relocated to Barzan during a ceremonial procession following the March 1991 Kurdish uprising.
Today, Barzani’s mausoleum in Barzan serves as a significant pilgrimage site for Kurdish patriots from all regions of Kurdistan. The anniversary of his passing sees annual visits from students, professors, intellectuals, Peshmerga fighters, women, and diverse segments of Kurdish society, underscoring his enduring significance in Kurdish cultural and national identity.
Barzani’s legacy continues to inspire the Kurdish nation’s ongoing pursuit of democratic rights and self-determination, with his principles of resistance and diplomacy remaining central to Kurdish political thought throughout the region.
