Sema
On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, President Masoud Barzani paid tribute to the souls of the martyrs and to all the heroes who made this day a source of pride for their people.
In a post on the social media platform X, marking the 63rd anniversary of his joining the ranks of the Peshmerga, President Barzani stated:
“Salute to all Peshmerga, I kiss their eyes. Salute to the pure souls of the martyrs and to all the heroes who made this day a proud one for their people.”
It has now been 63 years since President Barzani joined the Kurdish Peshmerga forces.
On May 20, 1962, he joined the September Revolution as the youngest Peshmerga fighter. Despite his young age, he played a major role in achieving many historic accomplishments and heroic milestones in the struggle for Kurdistan.
For over six decades, President Barzani has remained unwavering in his fight for the rights of the Kurdish people. He proudly identifies himself first and foremost as a Peshmerga, never ceasing his efforts.
During his time in the Peshmerga, President Barzani actively participated in the September Revolution. After its collapse, and with the launch of the Gulan/May Revolution, he directly oversaw Peshmerga forces and took part in several battles against the former Iraqi regime. As he has stated on many occasions, his struggle extended across all regions of Kurdistan—from Zakho to Penjwen.
President Barzani has repeatedly expressed his astonishment that some people expect him, after all these years of dedication and sacrifice as a Peshmerga, to abandon the cause he has dedicated his entire life to. He has always emphasized that being a member of the Kurdish Peshmerga is a rank higher than any official position and has stated that May 20 is a shining milestone in his life.
When ISIS emerged and took over large parts of Iraq, President Barzani once again led the fight—this time against one of the most brutal terrorist organizations in the world. As a Peshmerga fighter and as a leader of the Kurdish people, he played a crucial role in defending Kurdistan and protecting its citizens from terrorism.
Following the Kurdistan Independence Referendum, in which the Kurdish people voted overwhelmingly for independence, a coordinated local, regional, and international plan was launched to dismantle the Kurdistan Region’s experience in self-rule. On October 16, 2017, Iraqi forces—with local support—launched an attack on the Kurdistan Region, aiming to fully occupy it. President Barzani ordered the defense of the region, thwarting the conspiracy and once again defeating the enemies of the Kurdish people.