Barzanis

Barzanis refers to a Kurdish tribe and family prominent in the 20th century, particularly in Iraq and Turkey. The Barzani family was founded by Ustaz Mustafa Barzani (also known as Mullah Mustafa Barzani), a Kurdish nationalist leader, in the late 19th century. He was a preacher, tribal leader, and later the prominent figure in the Kurdish nationalist movement.

As the leader of the Kurdish rebels, Mullah Mustafa Barzani fought against the British mandate and later against the Iraqi government, advocated for Kurdish autonomy, and organized rebellion against the Iraqi forces. He founded the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which still played a crucial role in Kurdish politics.

After Mullah Mustafa Barzani's death in 1979, his eldest son Massoud Barzani took the leadership of the KDP. He later became the President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in 2005. Massoud became a key figure in the making of the modern Kurdish state. He and the KDP continued his family's longtime efforts for Kurdish autonomy and eventual independence. Additionally, he and the KDP temporarily set aside their old rivalries and cooperate in the prior elections.

The Barzanis were strongest in northern Iraq, particularly in the areas of Erbil, Mosul, and Dohuk. The family exercised influence over various rural tribal communities, who were loyal and contributed to their living expenses. This strong tribal loyalty facilitated the ability to act as a tribal potentate.