ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Peshmerga Alley, a tribute to the Kurdish role in the war against the Islamic State (ISIS), was inaugurated in Paris on Friday in the presence of Parisian Mayor Anne Hidalgo and Masoud Barzani, former president of the Kurdistan Region.
Naming the route in Paris’ Andre Citroen Park after the Peshmerga is a tribute to "all what the Kurdish people and Peshmerga did for us, for our freedom, for peace," in the fight against ISIS, Hidalgo said at the inauguration.
Barzani said it was a “historic day" for Kurds.
"The Peshmerga have carried out a sacred duty. The tribute you showed today to the Peshmerga indicates you respect the struggle of the Peshmerga and the friendship between the French and Kurdistan nations,” said Barzani, who is also leader of the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).
"I want to reiterate that Kurdistan will always remain a coexisting home, and the Peshmerga will always be the protectors of human rights, freedom, and democracy,” he added.
The Kurdish Peshmerga were at the forefront of the fight against ISIS in Iraq. Around 12,000 Peshmerga were killed or injured during the war, according to Barzani.
"Naming a park after the Peshmerga shows a great deal of respect. I would like to assuredly state that as long as one Kurd remains, they will be thankful to the French nation,” Barzani said.
Hidalgo told Rudaw that the alley is a tribute to "all what the Kurdish people and Peshmerga did for us, for our freedom, for peace," in the fight against ISIS.
The Kurdistan Region and France enjoy close relations dating back to the 1980s. Danielle Mitterrand, first lady of France from 1981 to 1995, advocated for Kurds suffering under the regime of Saddam Hussein and was instrumental in campaigning for the no-fly zone that allowed the Kurdistan Region to develop its current autonomy. She is affectionately known as the “Mother of Kurds” and inaugurated the first Kurdish parliament in 1992.
"France has always been supportive to the Kurdish cause. France was the first country to allow the opening of a Kurdistani institute in Paris,” Barzani said.
Founded in 1983, the Kurdish Institute of Paris is one of the oldest Kurdish organizations in the West. The institute has served as an ambassador for the Kurdish language, history and cultural heritage. It has also been a meeting place for Kurdish and Western activists and specialists seeking to influence international policy.
A core member of the global coalition against ISIS, France has trained about 10,000 Iraqi soldiers, including Kurdish Peshmerga. Its armed forces continue to play a key role in the fight against the jihadist group.
Philippe Goujon, mayor of the 15th arrondissement of Paris, delivered a speech at the event.
He described Peshmerga as "a resistance force of the Kurdish people" and "a symbol of continuous, multi-generational struggle for dignity, freedom, and the right to live in peace."
He also referenced the history full of sacrifices by the Peshmerga, from the wars against Saddam Hussein's regime and the crimes of Anfal and chemical attacks on villages, as well as their unprecedented resistance against ISIS.
Goujon particularly praised the role of female Peshmerga who fought alongside men in the trenches of war, as was seen in the Battle of Kobani.
Goujon reiterated that naming this street is a tribute to the sacrifices of the Peshmerga given for the protection of freedom and peace, just as French soldiers have also made sacrifices.
"The values that the Peshmerga fight for - freedom, dignity, tolerance - these are our values too."
Meanwhile, Salman Farman, a wounded Peshmerga fighter from the war against ISIS who lost both legs, an arm, an eye and an ear, and who received a medal of honor from President Masoud Barzani during the ceremony, told Rudaw that he was very happy that an alley has been named after Peshmerga.
"France has recorded a history for the Kurdistan Peshmerga forces that we are all proud of. This history will remain for future generations and is also a consolation for all the families of martyrs," he said.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said he discussed strengthening France–Kurdistan relations with President Masoud Barzani during their meeting in Paris.
He added that naming an alley after the Peshmerga in Paris symbolizes “France’s eternal recognition of its Kurdish brothers-in-arms in the fight against Daesh [ISIS].”