Masoud Barzani facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Masoud Barzani
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مەسعوود بارزانی
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Barzani in 2005
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| President of Kurdistan Region | |
| In office 14 June 2005 – 1 November 2017 (Mandate expired on 19 August 2015) |
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| Prime Minister | Nechirvan Barzani Barham Salih Nechirvan Barzani |
| Vice President | Kosrat Rasul Ali |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Nechirvan Barzani |
| President of the Governing Council of Iraq | |
| In office 1 April 2004 – 30 April 2004 |
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| Leader | Paul Bremer |
| Preceded by | Mohammad Bahr al-Ulloum |
| Succeeded by | Ezzedine Salim |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 August 1946 Mahabad, Republic of Kurdistan (now Mahabad, Iran) |
| Citizenship | Iraq, Turkey (1992–2003) |
| Political party | Kurdistan Democratic Party |
Masoud Barzani (Kurdish: مەسعوود بارزانی, romanized: Mesûd Barzanî; born 16 August 1946) is a Kurdish politician. He has been the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) since 1979. He also served as the President of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq from 2005 to 2017.
Contents
Early Life and Political Start
Barzani was born in Mahabad, which is in Iran. He took over as leader of the KDP in 1979. His father, Mustafa Barzani, was the previous leader.
Barzani worked closely with his brother, Idris Barzani, until Idris passed away. Barzani and other Kurdish groups were involved in conflicts during the Iran–Iraq War. After the Gulf War, Barzani played a big part in shaping the government of the Kurdistan Region.
Becoming President of Kurdistan
After Saddam Hussein's defeat in the Gulf War in 1991, Kurdish control was established in northern Iraq. This led to the creation of an autonomous zone in 1992. Barzani even received a Turkish passport to help him travel.
In 1992, the first free elections in Iraq were held in the Kurdistan Region. Barzani's KDP and the Jalal Talabani-led Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) shared the votes. They then divided the government jobs equally.
However, fighting broke out between the two main Kurdish parties in May 1994. This conflict, known as the Iraqi Kurdish Civil War, eventually ended with a peace agreement in 1998. The agreement divided the Kurdish zone between the KDP and PUK.
After the invasion of Iraq in 2003, the KDP and PUK slowly formed a united regional government. Barzani became a member of the Iraqi Governing Council. He was the president of this council in April 2004. In June 2005, the Kurdistan Parliament elected him as the President of Iraqi Kurdistan.
As President of the Kurdistan Region, Barzani traveled to many countries. He met with important leaders like US President George W. Bush and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. He also met the Pope at the Vatican and the Italian Prime Minister.
In July 2009, Barzani was reelected as president in the first direct elections for the role. He won with 69.6% of the votes. International observers watched these elections closely. In August 2013, his term was extended by the parliament for two more years. He continued in the role even after this extension.
In 2014, Time magazine considered Masoud Barzani for its Time Person of the Year award. This was for his efforts to push for Kurdish independence while fighting against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
2017 Independence Referendum
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On 7 June 2017, Barzani announced that the Kurdistan Region would hold an independence referendum. This vote took place on 25 September 2017. The day after the vote, he said the referendum was successful in showing a desire for independence. He asked neighboring countries to be open to talks.
The Iraqi government did not accept the results of the referendum. On 15 October, Iraqi forces entered the city of Kirkuk. This caused Kurdish forces to withdraw from Kirkuk and other areas.
After the referendum and the changes in control of areas, Barzani announced he would step down. He left his role as President of Kurdistan Region on 29 October. He is still the president of the KDP and meets with ambassadors.
See also
In Spanish: Masud Barzani para niños
- Barzani family
