On February 1, the Kurdistan Region commemorated the 19th anniversary of the 2004 bombings in Erbil that killed 101 people and injured hundreds more.

The twin bombings on February 1, 2004, targeted the headquarters of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan while people were celebrating the first day of Eid al-Adha. This resulted in the death of 101 Kurdish leaders, politicians, and members of the security forces.

“Today, as we honor the martyrs of the February 1st terrorist attack, we are reminded to stand united, to defend the legitimate rights of our people, and to continue our pursuit until we achieve our ultimate goal,” Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani posted on X.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in a statement underlined that the “fallen heroes of the February 1 attacks have become a symbol of coexistence, unity, and sacrifice made by the people of Kurdistan for freedom and liberty.

“They became martyrs while celebrating Eid, a celebration of devotion and love. Honoring the victims is not just a simple act of remembrance, but is a reiteration of our commitment to the principles they sacrificed their lives for.

“The best way to honor the sacrifices of the February 1 martyrs, and all martyrs of Kurdistan, is to safeguard our hard-won achievements, strengthen our unity, and stand united across all political parties. Let us use this commemoration as a chance to rise above our divisions, and build a brighter future for generations to come, one that honors the sacrifices made by our martyrs,” he added.

Senior Advisor to KRG Prime Minister Barzani for Foreign Affairs and Climate Change Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman – who lost her older brother and father in the attack – posted on X that “no sacrifice is too great for our beloved homeland.”

“February 1 reminds us: Kurdistan’s unity is forged through sacrifice. We honor the martyrs. We stand together.”

Read More: Freedom is Not Free: Commemorating the February 1, 2004 Attack

Last year, Rahman wrote in her article for Kurdistan Chronicle that “perhaps the terrorists who attacked Erbil on February 1, 2004, thought they would terrorize the people of Kurdistan into submission, but to the contrary, they reawakened the spirit of unity and strength of purpose.”