Erdogan sends condolences to KRG PM for Dilovan Barzani’s death

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan conveyed his condolences to Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani over the passing of his brother Dilovan in a telephone call on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

Erdogan said he hopes the death of Dilovan is the final loss for the Barzani family. Prime Minister Barzani thanked Erdogan for his concern.

 

Erdogan's call follows that of Mevlut Cavusoglu, the Turkish foreign minister, who shared his condolences with the Kurdistan Region PM on Tuesday. 

On Monday, Dilovan Idris Barzani, 51, passed away in Erbil following a heart attack.

 

He and Nechirvan were twins born on September 21, 1966, in Barzan, the ancestral home of the Barzani tribe.

Dilovan did not have a governmental post, but was a social figure, taking part in events and often representing Nechirvan.

Relations between Turkey and the KRG broke down following the Kurdistan Region’s independence referendum last September.

Tensions have thawed in recent months, with KRG officials, including the PM, travelling through Turkey to western countries following the flight ban imposed by Baghdad.

Turkey has now reopened its airspace to flights from the Kurdistan Region following Iraq lifting the ban, but it says it will not allow flights from Sulaimani, citing security concerns.

Despite these improvements, the relationship remains strained following a number of incursions and lethal bombing raids inside the Kurdistan Region’s territory by Turkish forces pursuing Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighters and bases.