
President Barzani marks 49th anniversary of Gulan Revolution: A call for unity
Shafaq News/ Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Monday commemorated the 49th anniversary of the Gulan Revolution, hailing it as a testament to the Kurdish people's unshakable commitment to liberty and dignity.
In an official statement, Barzani paid tribute to the 'immortal martyrs and heroic fighters' of the uprising, honoring those who gave their lives in pursuit of freedom. "Gulan was a reaffirmation of the people's refusal to accept injustice or occupation," he added, calling it a powerful continuation of the Great September Revolution led by the late Mustafa Barzani.
The Kurdish president urged all sides to protect the constitutional and federal achievements secured through decades of struggle and to uphold the legacy of the revolution with unity and cooperation. 'Let Gulan inspire us to work together for a better future,' he said.
The Gulan Revolution began in 1976 after the collapse of the 1975 Algiers Agreement, when the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) reorganized its resistance against the Baathist regime. Drawing on shifting dynamics in the Middle East, the movement reignited hope among Kurds for justice and self-rule.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Watchdog: Iraq elections see rise in divisive rhetoric
Shafaq News/ Sectarian and ethnic rhetoric is escalating ahead of Iraq's 11 November parliamentary elections, the Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights (IOHR) cautioned on Sunday, accusing political factions and media outlets of fueling division instead of promoting meaningful policy debate. In a statement, the IOHR highlighted a surge in identity-based messaging—sectarian, ethnic, and regional—circulating through campaigns and social media. It criticized candidates and their influencers for prioritizing identity politics over qualifications, public service, or reform agendas. Inflammatory language, once limited to the political fringe, now dominates mainstream discourse, according to the IOHR's Asber Center for Information Auditors. 'Social media platforms have become key battlegrounds for this divisive discourse,' the center reported, pointing to orchestrated disinformation campaigns—often run through fake accounts—that target specific communities with misleading, provocative content. The observatory condemned political speeches for amplifying exclusionary rhetoric, particularly against Kurds, minorities, and regional groups, noting that collective trauma and historic grievances are being weaponized to manipulate sentiment and drive identity-based voting. 'New candidates who sidestep programmatic engagement, [are] instead marketing themselves as guardians of 'the component,' 'the region,' or 'a persecuted history,'' the report warned, calling this trend one of the most dangerous developments in Iraq's political environment.


Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iraqi PM to Lebanese President: We back Lebanon's sovereignty amid Israeli attacks
Shafaq News/ On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Baghdad, marking his first official visit to Iraq after assuming office. At a joint press conference, al-Sudani reaffirmed Iraq's support for Lebanon's sovereignty, unity, and stability, pledging to advocate for the country during Iraq's presidency of the Arab League, and rejected the ongoing Israeli violations of Lebanese territory. 'Iraq contributed $20M to the Arab Fund for Lebanon's reconstruction,' he added. Al-Sudani also welcomed the formation of Lebanon's new government as a crucial step toward restoring political order, identifying energy, telecommunications, trade, and private-sector development as 'opportunities that can serve both.' In turn, Aoun expressed appreciation for Iraq's continued assistance, particularly during the recent Israeli war, highlighting joint security challenges, including counterterrorism, as a top priority. Aoun further condemned Israel's ongoing military campaign on Gaza as 'inhumane' and called on the international community to act. 'What is happening in Gaza is unacceptable. The global community must intervene immediately.' Earlier today, the Lebanese president arrived at the Iraqi capital at the invitation of Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid. He is scheduled to meet with Rashid to discuss bilateral ties, regional developments, and ways to bolster cooperation between the two countries.


Shafaq News
5 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Lebanese President arrives in Baghdad for official visit
Shafaq News/ Lebanese President Joseph Aoun arrived in Baghdad on Sunday for an official visit at the invitation of Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani welcomed Aoun upon his arrival, according to a brief statement from the PM's Office. During his stay, Aoun is scheduled to meet with President Rashid and Prime Minister al-Sudani to discuss bilateral ties, regional developments, and ways to bolster cooperation between the two countries. Notably, President Aoun was absent from the Arab League summit held earlier this month in Baghdad. Lebanon was instead represented by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.