Masoud Barzani says, he was born in the shadow of Kurdish flag and he is ready to serve and die for the same flag.

Masoud Barzani is the current President of the Kurdistan Region and the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).

He was born in (Mahabad) Eastern Kurdistan,the same day that the ( KDP ) was founded on August 16, 1946. when his father, the late general Mustafa Barzani was Chief of the military of the Kurdish Republic of Mahabad declared in Eastern Kurdistan.

He began his primary education in Arabic.

At the age of 16, Masoud Barzani sacrificed his education and joined the Peshmerga forces, he was deeply influenced by valour, leadership skills and compassion of his late father Mustafa Barzani. Masoud Barzani’s experiences in the rugged mountains of Kurdistan were to provide him with the mettle and leadership skills that were to later propel him to the helm of the Kurdish movement.

It was not long before the KDP leadership began to notice the younger Barzani’s qualities. It came as no surprise when he, together with his late elder brother Idris Barzani took part in the delegation, which signed the now defunct autonomy deal with Baghdad in March 1970. When the Iraqi government reneged on its pledges once again, the Kurdish armed struggle resumed. Once again Masoud Barzani took part at the side of his father till the end of the movement in 1975. When ( KDP ) re-organised itself in 1976, Mustafa Barzani was in USA for medical treatment and his son Masoud Barzani accompanied his father. Towards the end of 1978, he survived an assassination attempt in Vienna while returning to Kurdistan. He assumed a leading position in the (KDP) with his brother Idris and other key figures.

Although Masoud Barzani did not have the opportunity to complete his education, his keen interest in reading, writing and studying political and military strategy has helped him abreast of international developments. ( In his words, he says, It is a great honour to serve my people and the ( KDP ). I hope to continue the policy and the works of its founder Mustafa Barzani for peace, liberty and democracy).