Erbil... 80th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Republic of Kurdistan in Mahabad Commemorated

Today, Saturday, January 24, 2026, in the presence of Omed Khoshnaw, Governor of Erbil, and a number of other representatives of Kurdish political parties and other officials, a special ceremony was held in the capital Erbil to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Kurdistan.

In the ceremony, the historical significance of the establishment of the Republic of Kurdistan and its national impacts were highlighted, and emphasis was placed on the need to preserve national values, the unity of the Kurdish people, and the continuation of the struggle for rights and freedoms.

It is worth noting that the Republic of Kurdistan, which lasted only 11 months, was declared on January 22, 1946, in Chwar Chra Square in the city of Mahabad, with the participation of more than 20,000 representatives from all strata of the people of Kurdistan, led by Qazi Muhammad. The establishment of the Mahabad Republic was a significant turning point in the history of the Kurdish people and created great hope among all Kurds. One of the shining aspects of the Republic of Kurdistan was the Barzanis, led by Sheikh Ahmad Barzani, when they participated in the Republic of Kurdistan.
 

Under the leadership of the immortal Barzani, the Peshmerga forces, comprised of Barzanis, defended the Republic of Kurdistan, to the extent that the first martyr of the Republic of Kurdistan was a Peshmerga from Southern Kurdistan. It was for this reason that Qazi Muhammad, after the fall of the Republic of Kurdistan, entrusted the sacred flag of Kurdistan to the immortal Barzani.

Barzani, as the commander of the Republic's military forces, played a key role in maintaining security and strengthening the military foundation of the Republic. With his experience of struggle and the support of revolutionaries, he organized the Peshmerga forces and became a symbol of unity and steadfastness.