The 2017 referendum on independence, led by President Masoud Barzani, saw overwhelming support from Kurdistan’s voters. As the anniversary is commemorated, voices across the political spectrum highlight its symbolic weight and enduring place in Kurdish history.
On September 25, 2017, the referendum was held in the Kurdistan Region under the leadership of President Masoud Barzani. The people of Kurdistan, with 92.7% of the vote, said “Yes” to the independence of Kurdistan.
In this regard, Hoshyar Siwaily, Head of Foreign Relations of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), told The Kurdish Globe: “Eight years ago, the citizens of this part of Kurdistan, with an unmatched passion and with high hope and aspiration, went to the ballot boxes to determine the fate of themselves and future generations. They wanted, with the tip of their pens, to mark their rightful place on the map of the world. They wanted to secure a right that God Almighty, the United Nations, and every just and living conscience has granted them. They wanted to draw with the tip of their pens the border that would separate them from occupation, subjugation, and injustice.”
It was the first time the people of Kurdistan rose to shout freely and openly, from Zakho to Khanaqin, under the light of Babagurgur’s eternal flame, and say: “We want independence. It was the first time the people of Kurdistan, with one voice and one will, decided their future to secure the right of independence — a right enshrined in international law and even in the Iraqi constitution. A right that is recognized by 197 states and nations, but denied to the Kurdish nation, making it the largest stateless nation in the world. There are states with fewer than 900 citizens and a land area of only 440 square meters, while the Kurdistan Region alone has nearly 6.5 million people and a territory larger than 40,000 square kilometers.”
Rashid conveyed: “On September 25, 2017, we held the referendum, and more than 93% of Kurdistan’s population voted for independence. Yet once again, treachery, the tragedies of Kurdish history, and the blood of independence were betrayed.”
Mohammed EliKhani, head of the Turkmen Development Party and a member of the Referendum High Council, told The Kurdish Globe: “The referendum day was very important. The people of Kurdistan told the world: we want to separate peacefully from Iraq and become an independent state. President Barzani sent this message, and world leaders said: this nation is demanding its right. Even though different states had differing views on peaceful separation, President Barzani honored the will of his people, which was important and decisive.”
He added: “The referendum was not against international law or the Iraqi constitution. The Kurdistan Region has been a model of peace and coexistence in the Middle East, with 30 years of democratic experience. When ISIS, the world’s most dangerous terrorist organization, emerged, the Peshmerga stood against it on behalf of the international community and defended the world. Therefore, any decision Kurdistan made at that time was rightful. A Kurdistan that fights terrorism for the world and follows democracy had every legitimacy to hold the referendum. That is why the people enthusiastically participated in it.”
On this matter, Robina Teyari, a member of the Kurdistan Parliament from the National Union Alliance, told The Kurdish Globe: “The referendum was one of the historical achievements. The people of Kurdistan, with all components, declared to the world that they are demanding their legitimate right. The message of the referendum was a peaceful one to demand rights.”
On the role of President Barzani, she said: “The success of the referendum came because President Barzani insisted that Kurdistan must demand its rights in a peaceful manner. In this way, the message of the people of Kurdistan was delivered to the whole world.”
Regarding the participation of different communities in the referendum for Kurdistan’s independence, Robina Teyari said: “In the achievement of the referendum, like other achievements, all communities — especially the Chaldean, Syriac, and Assyrian — fully supported it.”
On the message of the referendum, Robina said: “The message of the referendum was a peaceful one. The people of Kurdistan, through the ballot box, with 92.7% of the vote, said ‘Yes’. This was a significant and historic message, making clear that the majority of Kurdistan’s people demand independence.”
On this matter, Ghafur Makhmuri, Secretary General of the Kurdistan Democratic National Union, who himself participated in the Referendum Council of Parties, told The Kurdish Globe: “Every Kurd must be proud of the results of the referendum and view it as a great national act. As someone who fights for Kurdistan’s independence, I am always proud of the referendum and see it as a shining milestone in the history of the Kurdish nation.
President Masoud Barzani, through the referendum, recorded the greatest historical pride for himself and the Kurdish people, pride that generations to come will share. The referendum became a landmark in Kurdish history and remains the only good and strategic act in the nation’s struggle. In the referendum, the people of Kurdistan voted for independence and told the whole world that they want freedom.”
The Kurdish Globe