Kurdish leaders mourn death of longtime American ally Richard Naab

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish leaders on Monday offered condolences over the death of Colonel Richard Naab, a retired US Army intelligence officer remembered for his role in Operation Provide Comfort in 1991 and his long-standing support for the Kurdistan Region, calling him a true friend and champion of Kurdish rights.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said he was “deeply saddened” by the passing of Colonel Richard Naab, describing him as “a true friend of the Kurdistan Region since the 1990s.”

“We will always remember his service, friendship, and unwavering support. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones,” Barzani wrote in a post on X.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also offered condolences, saying: “I extend my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Colonel Richard Naab, who served with honor in Operation Provide Comfort and remained a friend of the Kurdistani people thereafter. Condolences to his family and friends. His compassion and leadership will never be forgotten.”

Naab had a distinguished career in the US Army Military Intelligence Corps. After retiring from military service, he worked with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and became widely regarded as a strong advocate for Kurdish rights.

He played a notable role during the crisis that followed the 1991 Kurdish uprising against Saddam Hussein. After the uprising was brutally suppressed, more than one million Kurds fled to the mountains along the Turkish and Iranian borders, fearing renewed genocide. In response, a US-led coalition launched Operation Provide Comfort to deliver aid and enforce a No-Fly Zone, creating a de facto safe haven that allowed Kurds to establish their autonomous administration in 1992. Naab participated in the US mission and later continued to support efforts in the Kurdistan Region.

In an interview with Rudaw in September 2017, a few weeks before Iraq’s Hashd al-Shaabi or Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) took over Kirkuk, Naab said the US had to stand by the Kurds.

"I am disgusted with the US policy here. We should be an ally. We should be with the Kurds,” he said referring to Washington’s strong opposition to the Kurdistan Region’s independence referendum at the time.

The PMF, alongside Iraqi federal forces, retook the oil-rich, disputed province of Kirkuk and other disputed territories from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in October 2017, expelling Peshmerga forces in the aftermath of the vote.

Asked whether the US would protect the Kurds from a potential attack on the Kurdistan Region, Naab told Rudaw, “I don't think so, I don't think they can afford to. We have spent a lot of lives here. We have spent a lot of effort here to help the Kurds. I don't think we will allow that to happen. But they should be working on that issue now, they should be talking to these people now… and say ’hey, behave yourself, after the referendum, no matter what happens, don't make the wrong move’. We should be doing that as an ally and as a friend of the Kurds.”

Senior Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) official Hoshyar Zebari paid tribute as well.

“Deeply saddened by the passing away of Col Richard Naab. A dear and a loyal American friend. Had a long history with the late Dick since 1991 when Operation Provide Comfort was lunched & headed MCC in Zakho & headed CPA in Erbil in 2003. Condolences to his family & friends RIP.”

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