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PM Masrour Barzani Inaugurates Sheikhan–Lalish Road, Reaffirms KRG Resilience and Calls for Sinjar Agreement Implementation
In a speech that blended celebration with conviction, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Saturday marked the official opening of the Sheikhan–Lalish dual carriageway, while reaffirming the Region’s steadfast commitment to development, resilience in the face of crises, and support for the Yazidi community.
Barzani declared that development has not halted despite economic and political challenges, crediting the perseverance of the Kurdish people and strong private sector confidence as driving forces behind continued progress. “This achievement is not a favor — it’s our duty,” he said, referring to the completion of the vital road connecting Sheikhan to the sacred Lalish Temple, a promise he made exactly one year ago.
The ceremony, attended by key dignitaries including Prince Hazim Tahsin Beg, the spiritual leader of the Yazidis, and Sheikh Ali Sheikh Ilyas Baba Sheikh, underscored the deep symbolic and practical importance of the project. Barzani praised the road as not only a transport link but a bridge to a sacred site central to Yazidi identity and Kurdish heritage.
A Message to Ezidis: “We Will Not Be Separated”
Prime Minister Barzani delivered a strong message of solidarity with the Yazidi people, reiterating their integral role within Kurdish society.“The Yazidi brothers and sisters are an authentic part of Kurdistan,” he declared, quoting President Masoud Barzani: “The original Kurds are the Yazidis. We can never be separated.”
He stressed the practical benefits of the new road, especially as thousands of Yazidi pilgrims are expected to visit Lalish in the coming days. He also used the occasion to encourage road safety awareness to prevent future traffic accidents — another reflection of the government’s people-centered approach to infrastructure.
Development Amid Crisis
Highlighting broader regional challenges, Barzani acknowledged the lack of consistent federal support but emphasized that KRG development projects have continued despite adversity. “We hoped for more support from Baghdad, but our projects never stopped,” he said, thanking the private sector and project developers for their partnership and efficiency in delivering the Sheikhan–Lalish road to international standards.
A Call to Implement the Sinjar Agreement
The Prime Minister devoted a significant portion of his speech to the unresolved status of Sinjar, referencing both the genocide carried out by ISIS and the Kurdish-led liberation of the district under the command of President Masoud Barzani.
“I was there with the President when he said, ‘Either we liberate Sinjar, or we give our lives for it.’ And he fulfilled that promise,” Barzani recalled. “We gave hundreds of martyrs, but we did not surrender our will.”
Despite that victory, he criticized Baghdad for failing to implement the 2020 Sinjar Agreement, which was intended to normalize the district’s security and governance.
“The agreement remains blocked by illegal armed groups who impose themselves in the area,” he said. “We call on the federal government to take immediate steps to enable the dignified return of displaced Yazidis to their homeland.”
Barzani emphasized that no political scheme would separate the Kurdish people from their land, reinforcing KRG’s commitment to protecting Yazidi rights and restoring Sinjar.
Hope for a Breakthrough in Oil Talks
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister offered cautious optimism regarding ongoing negotiations with Baghdad over budget entitlements and oil exports.
He revealed that recent discussions had yielded a tentative understanding between oil producers in the Kurdistan Region and the federal government, which could signal a breakthrough in long-stalled disputes.
“This is a positive step toward resolving the challenges,” he said, expressing hope that the deal will soon be finalized and lead to the resolution of the salary crisis for public servants in the Kurdistan Region.
“We Keep Building”
From a symbolic road to a message of unity, Barzani’s speech served as both a celebration of a promise kept and a broader declaration of policy priorities: sustainable development, unwavering unity, protection of minority communities, and a just political settlement with Baghdad. We keep building,” he said, “because our people deserve dignity, stability, and progress — no matter the obstacles.