President Masoud Barzani issued a formal message on Wednesday to commemorate the 56th anniversary of the historic March 11 Agreement of 1970 and the 35th anniversary of the 1991 Erbil Uprising. These two pivotal events in Kurdish history represent the bedrock of the Kurdistan Region’s constitutional status and its long struggle for self-determination.
The March 11 Agreement was the fruit of the Great September Revolution, led by the immortal Mustafa Barzani. It marked the first formal recognition of Kurdish national rights by the Iraqi state, following a decade of armed resistance by the Peshmerga and the Kurdish people.
In his commemorative message, President Barzani highlighted that the accord was the product of the dedication and sacrifices of the Peshmerga and every segment of Kurdish society.
“The March 11 Agreement was the outcome of a steadfast and nationwide struggle to restore the rights of the Kurdish people and achieve democracy in Iraq,” President Barzani stated, noting that the strength of the revolution ultimately compelled the Iraqi government of the time to officially recognize a portion of Kurdish rights.
President Barzani paid a solemn tribute to the revolutionaries and Peshmerga whose efforts were instrumental in securing this achievement. Looking toward the future, he underscored the necessity of national unity and regional stability.
“On this occasion, we emphasize the protection of our achievements and reaffirm the message of peace and coexistence of the people of Kurdistan,” he added, offering a salute to the souls of the martyrs of the September Revolution and all Kurdistan martyrs.
The significance of March 11 is doubled by the events of 1991. Exactly 21 years after the 1970 accord, the people of Erbil rose up against the Ba’ath regime during the Great Uprising (Raperin). This decisive victory reclaimed the capital and laid the foundation for the establishment of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and its democratic institutions.
The Kurdistani Diaspora Confederation (KDC) joins the nation in honoring these milestones, recognizing that the freedom enjoyed today is the result of decades of resilience, leadership, and sacrifice.