ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Region’s leaders on Wednesday celebrated the Kurdistan Flag Day to honor what Kurds refer to as the “Alla Rengîn” - “colorful flag” in Kurdish - hailing it as a symbol of national identity and historical resilience.
In a statement on X, President Masoud Barzani congratulated the Kurdish people, describing the Kurdistan flag as "a sacred emblem and symbol of our people."
The flag "carries the message, dreams, and aspirations of all the people of Kurdistan," the preeminent Kurdish leader added, wishing a “Happy Flag Day to the dear people of Kurdistan."
Of note, President Barzani in mid-November issued a strongly worded statement emphasizing that “great sacrifices and much blood have been shed” to protect the Kurdistan flag. He stressed that “the flag belongs to every Kurd, and every Kurd has the constitutional and legal right to take pride in both their flag and the achievements of their people.”
The preeminent Kurdish leader made the remarks while meeting a Kurdish youth who was reportedly beaten around that time by Iraqi security forces in the disputed Kirkuk province for carrying the flag on federal legislative election day. A video of the incident circulated widely online, sparking public and official outrage and prompting calls for accountability.
President Barzani then asserted that “no person or party has the right, under any pretext, to insult the Kurdistan flag or prevent it from being raised.”
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Wednesday marked Kurdistan Flag Day at Erbil’s historic Citadel, describing the banner as “a symbol of peace, prosperity, and coexistence.”
The ceremony was attended by representatives of various religious communities, as the Kurdish premier honored the sacrifices of thousands of Peshmerga fighters and emphasized the duty to “keep the flag raised high.”