First non-Arab head of state

Seven years since the passing of former Iraqi President Jalal Talabani

NEWSROOM — Today marks seven years since the death of Jalal Talabani, the former President of Iraq and a prominent Kurdish leader. Talabani passed away on October 3, 2017, in Germany after battling health issues for years. His body was returned to Sulaymaniyah three days later, where he was laid to rest in a large funeral ceremony.

Born in 1933, Talabani became involved in the Kurdish movement from a young age. He joined the Kurdistan Student Union in 1947 and later became active in the Kurdistan Democratic Party, where he rose to prominence as a key leader despite internal conflicts within the party.

In 1975, Talabani and his allies founded the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, where he served as General Secretary until his death. His leadership was central to both Kurdish and Iraqi politics, and in 2005, he became Iraq’s first Kurdish president. Talabani was re-elected for two subsequent terms, serving until 2014, although illness left him incapacitated during the final two years of his presidency.

Although his role as president was seen as symbolic, Talabani sought to make it influential, playing a key role in strengthening the relationship between Baghdad and the Kurdistan region. He was known for his diplomatic approach, earning respect from both allies and adversaries for his contributions to modern Iraq.

Talabani dedicated nearly 60 of his 83 years to Kurdish and political issues, and he remains a revered figure in the political history of Iraq and the Kurdistan region.