Mustafa Barzani

Quick Facts

• Region: Barzan, northern Iraq
• Born: March 14, 1903, Barzan (then Ottoman Empire)
• Died: March 1, 1979, Washington, D.C., U.S.
• Known for: Kurdish nationalist movement, KDP leadership, Mahabad Republic

Overview

Mustafa Barzani was a leading Kurdish political and military figure who spent five decades advocating for Kurdish autonomy and self-determination. He helped found and lead the Kurdistan Democratic Party, one of the most influential Kurdish political organizations.

His career spanned the Mahabad Republic, multiple uprisings, and years of exile, making him a central figure in modern Kurdish political history.

Life and Leadership

Barzani emerged as commander of the Mahabad Republic’s forces in 1946 and later became the KDP’s leader. He remained the primary Kurdish political and military leader in Iraq until his death in 1979.

Legacy

Mustafa Barzani’s leadership shaped Kurdish politics for generations and established the Barzani family’s enduring role in Kurdistan Region politics.