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President Masoud Barzani, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani mourn the passing of Karim Sinjari, hailing his lifelong dedication to the Kurdish national cause and his pivotal role in political, military, and diplomatic efforts.
On Wednesday, the body of veteran Kurdish politician Karim Shingali, former Minister of Interior of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), was returned to the Kurdistan Region through Erbil International Airport. His repatriation was marked by the presence of President Masoud Barzani, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, and KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.
President Barzani had issued a statement of condolence on Tuesday, expressing deep sorrow over Sinjari’s death. “With great sadness, we bid farewell to a resilient struggler, a dedicated nationalist, and a senior figure of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP),” Barzani stated. “Karim Sinjari passed away due to illness.”
He praised Sinjari as one of the steadfast and tireless cadres of the KDP and the Kurdish liberation movement, highlighting his leadership in the Gulan Revolution, his active role in the armed resistance in the mountains, and his substantial contributions to political, administrative, and diplomatic affairs following the 1991 uprising.
“Karim Sinjari was a true Peshmerga, loyal to the Barzani path and Kurdish identity,” the president added. “To me, he was a close friend and comrade in the struggle. He devoted his life to the Kurdish cause and its higher objectives. His passing is a profound loss.”
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Tuesday evening also published a condolence letter, saying, “I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of Karim Sinjari, the former Minister of Interior of the Kurdistan Region and a well-known KDP leader.”
He described Sinjari as “a tireless and patriotic Peshmerga who was active throughout all phases of the Kurdish national struggle.” The Prime Minister emphasized that Sinjari performed all his duties with sincerity and dedication, earning trust and respect across the political spectrum.
In his message, the Prime Minister extended condolences to Sinjari’s family, friends, and all KDP members. “May the Almighty rest his soul in peace and grant patience and solace to us all.”
Born in 1950 in Mosul, Abdulkarim Sultan Abdullah, widely known as Karim Sinjari, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Baghdad. He served as Minister of Interior in the KRG and was later appointed as a senior advisor to the Presidency of the Kurdistan Region following the formation of the ninth cabinet.