Kurdistan Region president urges political consensus and faster Peshmerga
unification during military college graduation ceremony
President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, delivered a speech during the graduation ceremony of the fifth batch of students at Qalacholan Military College. In his address, he emphasized that the strength and survival of the Kurdistan Region depend on unity and on placing the supreme interests of the nation above all conflicts and differences.
Barzani stressed that it is the responsibility of everyone to protect the reputation, prestige, and history of the Peshmerga, which is marked by pride, struggle, and sacrifice.
Addressing political forces and parties in the Kurdistan Region, he said, “Our constant message to the Kurdish political arena is the need for unity, joint action, harmony, and consensus among all political forces, parties, and the various components of Kurdistan.”
On the living conditions of the Peshmerga forces, Barzani said improving their standard of living would remain among the government’s top priorities. “You deserve a dignified life,” he said.
He also called on the graduates of the fifth batch at Qalacholan Military College to be “protectors of civil and democratic values, human rights, and public freedoms.” Addressing the graduates directly, he said, “Your responsibility becomes greater today. Within the Peshmerga forces, you must be the foremost guardians of coexistence, tolerance, and acceptance of others—a culture we take pride in, which has made the Kurdistan Region a safe haven for people of different religions and ethnicities and earned it the respect and appreciation of the international community.”
In another part of his speech, Barzani urged the graduates not to become involved in political disputes. “You must always remain a national force for Kurdistan and defend human dignity without discrimination,” he said.
Regarding efforts to unify the Peshmerga forces, Barzani said progress so far has been positive, but added that greater efforts are needed. “Our ambition is greater, and these steps must be accelerated. The reasons behind delays must be addressed, as regional challenges and conflicts require us to complete this mission as soon as possible in a way that serves Kurdistan and all of Iraq,” he said.
Barzani concluded by affirming that “the unity of the Peshmerga is the primary guarantee for protecting the constitutional rights and federal status of the Kurdistan Region.”