ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Kurdish leaders on Wednesday marked the 56th anniversary of a historic agreement signed between Kurds under the leadership of Mustafa Barzani and the Iraqi government, whereby for the first time in history, Kurds received a degree of recognition of their rights from Baghdad. 

"The March 11 Agreement of 1970 was the historic outcome of the Great September Revolution, led by our national leader, Mustafa Barzani," Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said on X.

The premier reaffirmed Erbil's commitment to "defending the rights of the people of Kurdistan and to safeguarding the Kurdistan Region’s constitutional status."

The landmark agreement was reached between the Iraqi government and Mustafa Barzani after a decade of revolution and armed struggle against Baghdad. 

On 11 September 1961, the Great September (Aylul) Revolution began, after negotiations between Kurds and the Iraqi government did not yield any results. 

The disagreement led to a military campaign by Baghdad, while Kurds from all walks of life joined the nationwide movement under the leadership of Mustafa Barzani.

"The March 11 Agreement was the fruit of the Ayul (September) Revolution,” President Masoud Barzani said in a statement on the anniversary of the March 11 agreement. "It was the outcome of that robust and nationwide struggle launched to reclaim the rights of the people of Kurdistan and to achieve democracy in Iraq."

President Barzani expressed his "appreciation for the struggle and tireless efforts of all the Peshmerga, revolutionaries, and patriots of the September Revolution who, through their hardships and sacrifices, secured the historic achievement of the March 11 Agreement for our nation." 

He emphasized the protection of the Kurds' achievements and reiterated "the message of peace and coexistence of the people of Kurdistan."

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani described the agreement as "the greatest political and legal achievement," and paid tribute to the "heroic Peshmerga."   

"It was the first official document recognizing the rights of the Kurdish people in modern history and became the basis for all subsequent achievements of the Kurdistan Region," he added.