In a proactive move aimed at addressing the concerns of the local community, President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Masoud Barzani, embarked on a visit to Duhok province in Kurdistan. During his visit, President Barzani engaged with families of martyrs, recipients of the prestigious Barzani Medal, political prisoners, and combat-wounded veterans. This town hall meeting served as an opportunity for the community to voice their grievances directly to the KDP leader.

President Barzani, who previously served as the President of the Kurdistan Region for 12 years, delivered a comprehensive update on the latest political developments in Iraq, with a specific focus on the Kurdistan Region. Emphasizing the challenges and threats that the Kurdish people continue to face, he underlined the importance of fostering national awareness and upholding patriotic values.

Acknowledging the immense sacrifices made by the community in the name of the Kurdistan Region, President Barzani urged the audience to openly share their grievances and complaints, reaffirming his commitment to addressing their concerns.

Last week, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also paid a visit to Duhok province, where he engaged with local residents to discuss issues related to public services. In a bid to boost tourism in the border town of Zakho, Prime Minister Barzani inaugurated the Delal Corniche.

However, one of the pressing issues faced by the border areas of Duhok province is the ongoing conflict between the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and Turkish forces. Turkish forces have persistently targeted suspected PKK positions in the region, resulting in continuous shelling and bombardment of the province's mountainous areas. Tragically, this decades-old conflict has taken a toll on civilians, leading to casualties and displacement.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has previously underscored that this conflict has obstructed the delivery of essential public services in the affected areas. Since the commencement of the Turkish-PKK conflict in 1984, over 40,000 individuals on both sides have lost their lives.

Kurdistan Region officials consistently call upon the central government in Baghdad, which is officially responsible for border security affairs, to take action and prevent insurgents and foreign military forces from engaging in hostilities within the territory. There are growing concerns regarding an increased presence of militia forces in the region.

President Masoud Barzani's visit and engagement with the local community signal the KDP's commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the people of Duhok province and the broader Kurdistan Region. As they work towards solutions for these pressing issues, it remains to be seen how both local and international stakeholders will respond to the ongoing conflict in the border areas.