President Masoud Barzani on Saturday delivered a strong message of unity and solidarity with Western Kurdistan, in Syria, warning of new threats facing the region and calling on the international community to uphold its responsibilities toward the Kurdish people.
The message was read out by Shifa Barzani, Director General of the Kurdistani Diaspora Confederation, during a large-scale demonstration organized by the Kurdistani Diaspora Confederation in the German city of Bonn on Saturday.
The Message of President Barzani reads as follows:
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Beloved Kurds,
Distinguished Guests,
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
It is a source of great pride that today, in the cities of various European countries, a large number of the Kurdish diaspora have gathered with unprecedented enthusiasm and in a peaceful manner to support their sisters and brothers in Western Kurdistan.
This is a clear indication of the capability and vitality of the Kurdish diaspora abroad. It proves that the generations of our people living abroad remain a great, prepared, and united force in supporting the legitimate cause of the people of Kurdistan, regardless of which part of Kurdistan it concerns. I send you my special greetings and respect… you are most welcome.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, the land of Kurdistan was unjustly divided. Following that partition, the people of Kurdistan faced immense catastrophe, adversity, and suffering. However, the harsh conditions imposed upon the Kurdish people did not cause our nation to lose its will or forget its rights. On the contrary, day by day, the people of Kurdistan grew stronger and more conscious, continuing their struggle to secure their rights. In the course of this struggle, they have offered countless sacrifices.
Like the other parts of Kurdistan, the Kurdish people in Western Kurdistan have a long history of struggle. The activists and revolutionaries of Western Kurdistan have endured great pain, imprisonment, displacement, and exile. After an extensive struggle, they faced the threat of ISIS terrorists. Through their bravery, and with their blood and sacrifice, the youth of our nation defeated ISIS and became the protectors of humanity.
Currently, our people in Western Kurdistan are facing a new threat and a complex, dangerous situation. It is the national and ethnic duty of every Kurdistani to support our sisters and brothers in Western Kurdistan.
The voice of each and every one of you has a direct impact on the morale and resilience of the Kurdish people in Kurdistan, particularly in Western Kurdistan. It is also a message to the people of the world to support the rightful demands and rights of our sisters and brothers.
It is the duty of the international community and Western nations to uphold their responsibilities and not allow the suffering and tragedies of our people to be repeated. In the war against ISIS, Kurds were the protectors of humanity; now, humanity must be the protector of Kurdistan.
Distinguished Guests… Beloved Kurds,
Your demonstrations and gatherings are a clear sign of the national unity that resides within the hearts of Kurds living abroad. This demonstrates the fact that geographic borders and political differences cannot weaken the historical and national ties within us. We are one nation, we share one history, and we share one future; we are partners in both joy and hardship. Our Kurdish identity transcends all ideologies. Being Kurdish is a message of peace and coexistence, not only for our own people but for the peoples of the region and the entire world.
I thank each and every one of you, the organizers of these gatherings, and the Kurdistani Diaspora Confederation. I thank all Kurds abroad who, over the past few days, have supported their sisters and brothers in Rojava with great effort and passion. I commend you; this is exactly what is expected of you. This support must continue within a peaceful framework and through civil measures.
My request to you is that in your gatherings, ceremonies, and demonstrations, you fully adhere to the high values of our nation and respect the laws and regulations of the countries in which you live. Avoid chaos, tension, and violence in every way possible. The people of Kurdistan have a conflict with the policies of governments and regimes, not with other nations. Everyone must be aware of this; hatred and conflict must not be allowed to develop between Kurds and other ethnicities. The message of the people of Kurdistan is one of peace, humanity, and coexistence.
Furthermore, I find it necessary here to call upon the Syrian government and the Syrian democratic Forces (SDF) to maintain their ceasefire. They should rely on dialogue and mutual understanding to resolve their problems and differences. Under no circumstances should political issues be allowed to trigger ethnic conflict or friction between Kurds and Arabs.
Additionally, to achieve peace and stability, the suffering of the Kurdish people and attempts to marginalize or assimilate them must finally end. In the future of Syria, the political, civil, and national rights of the Kurdish people must be guaranteed within the constitution.
In conclusion, I reiterate that we must all strengthen our support for the legitimate cause of our people, and we must always maintain hope for a bright future for the people of our Kurdistan.
Again, I welcome you all.
Long live the Kurds, long live Kurdistan.
Masoud Barzani
Jan. 31, 2026