Masrour Barzani facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Masrour Barzani
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| مەسرور بارزانی | |
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Barzani in Washington, D.C. in 2025
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| Prime Minister of Kurdistan Region | |
| Assumed office 10 June 2019 |
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| President | Nechirvan Barzani |
| Deputy | Qubad Talabani |
| Preceded by | Nechirvan Barzani |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 March 1969 Choman, Iraq |
| Political party |  Kurdistan Democratic Party |
| Alma mater | American University (AB) |
| Website |
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Masrour Barzani (Arabic: مسرور بارزاني; Kurdish: مەسروور بارزانی, romanized: Mesrûr Barzanî), born on March 2, 1969, is an important politician from Iraq. He has been the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region since June 2019. He also leads the Kurdistan Region Security Council and is part of the Kurdistan Democratic Party. He became Prime Minister on June 10, 2019, after most lawmakers in the Kurdistan parliament voted for him.
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Early Life and Education
Masrour Barzani is the son of Masoud Barzani. When he was 16, in 1985, he joined the Kurdish resistance fighters. These brave fighters are called Peshmerga, which means "those who face death."
He took part in important battles, like the Battle of Khwakurk in 1988 against Saddam Hussein's army. He also joined the uprising against Saddam Hussein in 1991, after the first Gulf War. He even filmed these events.
Even with a challenging childhood due to the resistance, Barzani finished high school in Iran. After peace returned to the region in 1992, he went to London. There, he studied English for a year. He then earned a bachelor's degree with honors in International Studies from the American University in Washington, D.C.. He continued his studies in Peace and Conflict Resolutions.
While in Washington, Barzani worked to help people understand the challenges faced by the Kurdish people. He also started a special program at American University to continue these efforts.
Political Career and Leadership
In 1998, Masrour Barzani returned to the Kurdistan Region. He was chosen by the KDP's 12th Congress to join the Central Committee. Later that year, he became part of the Kurdistan Democratic Party Leadership. He was then appointed as the General Director of the Protection and Intelligence Agency.
In 2010, he received the most votes at the 13th Congress. He was re-elected to the Leadership Council and became a member of the KDP's Politburo. In 2012, his father, Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani, appointed him as Chancellor of the Kurdistan Region Security Council. In this role, he oversaw security, military intelligence, and other intelligence services.
Under his leadership, women officially joined the Kurdish security services. He also spoke out against some proposals in the Iraq Study Group. He wrote an article in the Washington Post about this topic.
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Barzani has also worked to make sure that veterans of the Kurdish struggle receive their pensions. In an interview in January 2010, Masrour Barzani said that the Iraqi Constitution has a clear plan for the city of Kirkuk and other disputed areas.
In May 2016, Barzani wrote another article in The Washington Post. He suggested that Iraqi Kurdistan should separate peacefully from the rest of Iraq. He said Iraq was "a conceptual failure" because it forced different peoples to share an uncertain future. He announced that talks would begin with the Iraqi Government before a referendum.
Barzani Charity Foundation
In 2005, Masrour Barzani started the Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF) in Iraqi Kurdistan. This non-profit organization helps people who have been displaced from their homes, refugees, and local people in need. It is based on the life and principles of his grandfather, Mustafa Barzani. The foundation's Orphan Sponsorship Program provides money each month to help orphans with living costs, healthcare, and education.
Fighting Against ISIS
Masrour Barzani is a key figure in the international effort against ISIS. His Security Council, along with its special forces, works with the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD). This group has led targeted airstrikes against important ISIS leaders in Iraq and Syria. They have also carried out missions to rescue hostages.
The American University of Kurdistan
Masrour Barzani is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for The American University of Kurdistan (AUK). He helped start the project during a ceremony in Duhok province in December 2013.
Kurdistan Region Premiership
After a KDP leadership meeting on December 3, 2018, Masrour Barzani was named as the party's choice for Prime Minister. In June 2019, Masrour Barzani was officially elected as the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
See also
- Barzani Family
