Kurdistan Region PM: “Our Brothers in Syria Can Learn from Our Experience and Avoid Our Mistakes”
By Kardo Roj
SULAYMANIYAH, Iraq (North Press) – Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), said Wednesday that the Kurdish political movement in Syria has a unique opportunity to learn from the Iraqi Kurdish experience and avoid repeating its past mistakes.
Speaking at the Sulaymaniyah Forum, Barzani emphasized the need for unity among Syrian Kurdish parties, stressing that political cohesion is essential for securing rights and recognition in post-conflict Syria.
“Brothers and sisters in Syria can benefit from our long and difficult path,” Barzani said. “We made progress, but we also made mistakes—and these lessons can help guide the Kurdish people in Syria during this critical period.”
Barzani’s comments come amid a period of rapid political transition in Syria, following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in late 2024. Kurdish leaders in Iraq, particularly the influential figure Masoud Barzani, have consistently urged Syrian Kurds to unify their political positions and develop a joint strategy for negotiations with emerging Syrian institutions.
“There must be a new pluralistic government in Syria—one that ensures fair participation for all groups, especially the Kurds,” Barzani added.
He reiterated that Kurdish representation should be an integral part of any democratic framework in Syria’s future, stating that marginalization must not be repeated.
The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has long been considered a reference point for Kurdish self-governance. Despite challenges—including internal divisions, political rivalries, and economic instability—the region has achieved a degree of autonomy, international recognition, and institutional development over the past two decades.
However, Kurdish leaders in Iraq have also acknowledged that their experience includes painful missteps, including missed opportunities for unity and instances of external dependency. Barzani’s remarks are widely viewed as a diplomatic nudge toward political reconciliation among Kurdish factions in northeast Syria.
Barzani concluded by underscoring the shared destiny of Kurdish communities across national borders. “The future of Kurds in Syria is linked to the establishment of a democratic and inclusive Syria,” he said. “We stand ready to support that vision and share in the process of building a just and pluralistic society.”
His remarks were received positively by political observers and civic leaders in northeast Syria, many of whom view cross-border Kurdish cooperation as essential to safeguarding cultural rights and political gains in the region.