ERBIL — Kurdish leaders on Friday marked the 30th anniversary of the 1991 uprising against the Baath Regime by emphasizing that the achievements should be preserved though unity.

Prominent leader and the president of Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Masoud Barzani, issued a statement in which he reminded that the 1991 uprising of the people of Kurdistan was one of the most significant events in the modern history of Kurdistan and the Kurdish struggle for freedom.

“The goal of the uprising was to return the right and land of the Kurds which was invaded with fire for a long time,” Barzani said.

“The people of Kurdistan poured blood and made sacrifices in order to be able to live with dignity; therefore, anyone attempting to harm the value and goals of the uprising is actually betraying the blood of the martyrs and decades of Kurdistan people’s sacrifices,” the Kurdish leader added.

Nechirvan Barzani, the president of Kurdistan Region, also released a statement to remind that the Kurdistanis today, more than ever, need unity to preserve the achievements of the uprising and secure a better future.

“The Kurdistanis, including all religious and ethnic components and political factions, united during the uprising and succeeded. Today, we can together overcome the challenges and difficulties, and achieve our constitutional rights.”

In his statement on the 1991 uprising anniversary, Prime Minister Barzani highlighted the peaceful coexistence, forgiveness, and humanitarianism as the achievements of the uprising.

PM Barzani extended his “warmest congratulations” to the peoples of Kurdistan Region and pointed out that the Kurdistanis “should always preserve and grow the high principles of uprising and coexistence, forgiveness, peace, and humanitarianism.”

“Every Kurdistani, all the factions and components, should protect the national achievements and constitutional rights of the peoples of Kurdistan through unity.”

“Let the uprising anniversary encourage us all to support the Kurdistan Regional Government to implement its reform plan, provide better services to the people of Kurdistan, and, together, lead the Kurdistan Region to a more prosperous stage,” the Kurdish premier stressed.

BasNews