Upon the liberation of Kobane, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, congratulated Syrian Kurdish fighters and the Peshmerga, and all defenders of freedom around the world. He also expressed his gratitude to Turkey and other allies for their support and participation.

The following is the text of the message:

On the occasion of the liberation of the town of Kobane we offer our heartfelt congratulations to the Syrian Kurdish fighters, our Peshmerga, people of Kobane, and all the people of Kurdistan and those who support freedom around the world. We especially congratulate President of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani who treated Kobane the same as Sinjar and other parts of Kurdistan. He tirelessly worked to ensure our allies would provide critical assistance and secure access for our Peshmerga forces.

I offer my gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu who were key to our Peshmerga securely reaching Kobane. Critical to the liberation of Kobane was the assistance of the United States and allies with air support and arms and ammunition. And I offer profound gratitude to the Government of Turkey for welcoming and helping thousands of refugees from Kobane.

Kobane became a strong symbol of resistance and defiance to ISIS terrorist organisation. All of Kurdistan’s people including political parties were united in one voice to help Kobane. Today on the occasion of its liberation by young Syrian Kurdish men and women fighters as well as our Peshmerga, I congratulate all political parties in this part of Kurdistan and every single Kurdistani. I hope very soon all villages and towns of Kobane will also be liberated along with all Kurdistani lands occupied by ISIS terrorists.

This victory was achieved due to the undaunted efforts and sacrifices on the ground of Syrian Kurdish fighters and our Peshmerga. We should never forget the many martyrs of Kobane and other parts of Kurdistan. The Kurdistan Regional Government is doing its utmost to assist refugees from Kobane and will continue to provide whatever assistance needed to this steadfast city.\

Nechirvan Barzani

Prime Minister

Kurdistan Regional Government

26 January 2015