The opening of Peshmerga Path in Paris on September 5, 2025, served as a tribute to the sacrifice of Kurdish fighters in the battle against ISIS and a reaffirmation of France’s longstanding support for the Kurdish cause.
Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani, accompanied by Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo and several other Kurdish and French officials, attended the ceremony, calling the initiative “a historic day” for the Kurds.
“Naming a park [pathway] after the Peshmerga shows a great deal of respect. I would like to state with certainty that as long as one Kurd remains, they will be thankful to the French nation,” President Barzani said in a speech set against the backdrop of the flags of Kurdistan, Iraq, France, and the EU.
“Several presidents have changed in France, but France’s support [for the Kurds] has not,” the Kurdish leader emphasized, reminding the audience that France’s former President Francois Mitterrand was the first European leader to welcome him in 1992, a moment he regards with pride and as a symbol of freedom.
President Barzani also honored the late Danielle Mitterrand, Francois’ wife, whose advocacy for Kurdish rights was instrumental in the passage of UN Security Council Resolution 688 in 1991.
Danielle Mitterrand is affectionately remembered as the “Mother of Kurds.”
Shared values
Highlighting the sacrifices made by the Peshmerga, President Barzani noted that 12,000 Peshmerga either lost their lives or were injured in the fight against ISIS, bringing great pride to the Kurdish nation. “The Peshmerga continue to play a vital role in combating terrorism on behalf of the entire world,” he stressed in the presence of 37 veteran Peshmerga at the ceremony.
France is often hailed by the Kurds for initiating the UN Security Council Resolution 688 in 1991, shortly after the Ba’ath Regime of Saddam Hussein launched a massive campaign to suppress a popular uprising in Kurdistan, which ultimately triggered a large-scale Kurdish exodus. Back then, France played a key role in opening a corridor for international aid and establishing a no-fly zone north of the 36th parallel. It then joined the U.S.-led coalition to protect the area where Kurds finally had the chance to establish a self-governing entity.
Also delivering a speech after unveiling the Peshmerga plaque, Mayor Hidalgo praised President Barzani’s leadership and the sacrifices of the Kurdish forces in spearheading the war against ISIS and fighting terrorism on behalf of the world.
“The Peshmerga and President Barzani fought for the freedom of the world. We are indebted to them for their fight against terror,” she pointed out.
“Welcoming President Barzani is a big day for us. Erbil was the symbol of the fight against ISIS. Kurds have many friends in France – we want to build a small Kurdistan in Paris. The Peshmerga deserve such recognition. There is a strong bond of brotherhood between the Kurds and France,” she added.
Philippe Goujon, mayor of the 15th arrondissement of Paris, also took the podium to welcome the initiative, describing the Peshmerga as “a symbol of a continuous, multi-generational struggle for dignity, freedom, and the right to live in peace.”
Goujon particularly praised the role of female Peshmerga fighters who fought alongside men on the frontlines.
“The values that the Peshmerga fight for – freedom, dignity, tolerance – these are our values too,” the French official stressed.
Ongoing efforts and bilateral ties
Following the ceremony, President Barzani was seen shaking hands with France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot outside the ministry building. The two officials later met for discussions on bilateral ties and regional developments.
Minister Barrot welcomed the inauguration of the Peshmerga Path in Paris, calling it “France’s eternal recognition of its Kurdish brothers-in-arms in the fight against ISIS.”
They also emphasized the two countries’ continued joint efforts to combat ISIS’ radical ideology, arguing that even though the terrorist group has been defeated geographically, the root causes need to be addressed to prevent the reemergence of extremism.
Discussing the prolonged disputes between Erbil and Baghdad, and the latter’s economic pressure on the Kurdistan Region, the pair agreed that adhering to the Constitution is the key to a durable solution between the regional and federal governments.
According to a statement from the Barzani Headquarters, France’s President Emmanuel Macron is expected to visit Erbil and Baghdad later this year, another gesture recognizing the Kurdistan Region’s critical role in regional politics.
Shamal Abdulla is a journalist with 18 years of experience in the field. He has held a number of prestigious positions, including news director at Kurdistan 24 and the editor-in-chief of BasNews.
