On September 20, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani inaugurated the Sheikhan–Lalish highway in Duhok province during a special ceremony.
The Sheikhan-Lalish Road finished construction in record time with an investment of $20m.
I hope it will ease movement of our Yazidi brothers and sisters, pilgrims, residents and visitors of the area.
We will continue building a stronger, more prosperous Kurdistan. pic.twitter.com/JcRuyXOc1B
— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) September 20, 2025
The event was attended by Mir Hazim Tahsin Beg, the leader of the Yezidis; Sheikh Ali Sheikh Elias, Baba Sheikh; members of the Yezidi Spiritual Council; and a number of local dignitaries. In his speech, the Prime Minister congratulated the executing company for completing the project in an advanced manner, congratulated the people of the area, and expressed hope that the road would bring benefits and make daily life easier.
The Prime Minister’s speech:
In the name of God the Almighty and Compassionate,
Dear brothers and sisters, honored guests, welcome.
I especially thank Mir Hazim, Baba Sheikh, the Yezidi Spiritual Council, and local figures for attending this occasion. A year ago, we were here and pledged to make the road from Sheikhan to sacred Lalish a two-way highway. Today, we are back to open this road.
Whatever we do is our duty to serve our citizens, particularly in this area which holds great historical, religious, social, and revolutionary importance. Many brave people come from here. We consider it our responsibility to provide services to this region, and this project is part of that. Other projects will continue across the province and beyond.
Barzani stressed that the Yezidis are an integral and authentic part of Kurdistan, as President Barzani has said, “Yezidis are true Kurds.” He noted that this road will ease pilgrimages to Lalish for Yezidis from across the world and facilitate travel for locals, reducing accidents and improving safety. He called on citizens to respect traffic rules and police guidance for their own safety.
He added that the continuation of such projects, despite crises, reflects the trust that private sector companies place in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). He thanked the implementing company for completing the project to international standards in a short time.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the Yezidis’ resilience in the face of hardship, recalling the struggle against ISIS in Sinjar when President Barzani ordered the liberation of the area, vowing either to free Sinjar or sacrifice everything for it. He said that although hundreds of Peshmerga were martyred, the Yezidis’ dignity was defended.
Barzani emphasized that Yezidis are an inseparable part of Kurdistan despite attempts to divide them. He urged the Iraqi federal government to take serious steps to implement the Sinjar Agreement, enabling Yezidis to return home with dignity. He insisted that all displaced people — Yezidis, Muslims, Arabs, Turkmen, Christians — must be able to return safely to their lands.
He also referred to ongoing talks with Baghdad on the budget and salaries, stressing that the KRG has never created obstacles, but has always sought to ensure the rightful financial entitlements of the Kurdish people. He noted that an understanding has recently been reached between oil companies in the Kurdistan Region and the federal government, which he hopes will end the disputes and ensure that salary issues no longer dominate daily news.
He concluded by expressing hope for a fair and lasting solution soon.
original article (in Kurdish)
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