On March 30, 2025, Balen Salih, a well-known Kurdish journalist based in the United States, passed away at the age of 64. Balen was the brother of Barham Salih, the former President of Iraq, and a prominent figure at the Voice of America Kurdish Service in Washington, D.C., where he had a remarkable career as an anchor that spanned 26 years.

Many of his friends and colleagues were shocked by this tragic news, which has been described as a profound loss. Balen Salih had previously been sentenced to death by former Iraqi security forces for leading a student demonstration against Saddam Hussein’s regime in 1982.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani expressed his condolences in a letter addressed to Barham Salih: “My deepest condolences to Dr. Barham Salih, former President of the Republic of Iraq, on the death of his brother, journalist Balen Salih. I extend my heartfelt condolences to him and his family. Balen was a figure who continuously advocated for the Kurdish cause, May God bless his soul.”

Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also extended his condolences to Barham Salih. According to the KRG website, Prime Minister Barzani talked to Barham Salih via phone to express his sympathies regarding the death of his brother, extending his hopes that God would grant the soul of the deceased paradise and provide patience and peace to his family. In response, Barham Salih expressed his gratitude for the contact and condolences from Prime Minister Barzani on behalf of his family.