President Masoud Barzani’s Message to Kurdistani Demonstrators in Europe

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Beloved Kurdistanis, distinguished guests, dear sisters and brothers,

I am proud to see Kurdish communities across Europe—peacefully and with unprecedented unity—standing in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Western Kurdistan (Rojava). This powerful presence reflects the vitality of the Kurdish diaspora and confirms that our people abroad remain a ready and united force in support of Kurdistan’s just cause. My heartfelt greetings to you all and you are most welcome.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, Kurdistan was unjustly divided, and our people endured hardship, catastrophe, and suffering. Yet these tragedies did not break our will. They strengthened our determination and deepened our awareness. Through decades of struggle, our people have made immense sacrifices for their rights.

In Western Kurdistan, that struggle has been long and painful—marked by imprisonment, exile, and displacement. When ISIS threatened humanity, Kurdish youth stood with courage and sacrifice, defeated terrorism, and became defenders of human dignity.

Today, Western Kurdistan faces a new, complex, and dangerous challenge. Supporting Rojava is a national and patriotic duty for every Kurdistani. Your voices strengthen morale and resilience on the ground, and they send a clear message to the world to stand with the legitimate rights of our people.

The international community, especially Western countries, must uphold its responsibility and prevent a repeat of past tragedies. Kurds defended humanity against ISIS; now humanity must stand for Kurdistan.

Dear attendees,

Your gatherings prove that borders and political differences cannot weaken our national bonds. We are one people, with one history and one future. We share both joy and sorrow. Our Kurdish identity rises above ideology. Kurdishness is a message of peace and coexistence—for our people and for all peoples of the region and the world.

I thank each of you, the organizers, and the Confederation of the Kurdish Diaspora, as well as all Kurdistanis abroad who have stood with Rojava in recent days. Your support must continue—peacefully, through civil and lawful means.

I urge you to uphold the highest values of our people and respect the laws of the countries where you live. Avoid tension and violence. Our struggle is with oppressive policies and regimes—not with nations. We must not allow hostility to be created between Kurds and other peoples. Our message remains peace, humanity, and coexistence.

I also call on the Syrian government and the SDF to preserve the ceasefire and resolve disputes through dialogue. Political disagreements must never become a cause of national conflict between Kurds and Arabs.

For lasting peace and stability, Syria must end the suffering of the Kurdish people, stop Arabization policies, and guarantee Kurdish political, civil, and national rights in the country’s constitution.

Finally, we must strengthen our support for our people’s just cause and keep faith in a brighter future for Kurdistan.

Once again: You are most welcome.

Long live the Kurds. Long live Kurdistan.

Masoud Barzani

31- January - 2026