PUK's Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed fires back at Mirani's treason claim

PUKs Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed fires back at Fazil Miranis treason claim — Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed, senior member of the PUK and Iraq’s First Lady (center), with her nephews Bafel Talabani, PUK Party President (left), and Qubad Talabani, member of the PUK Political Bureau and acting Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, in Sulaimani, Iraqi Kurdistan, August 2025. Photo: Channel8.com

SULAIMANI, Iraqi Kurdistan,— Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed, Iraq’s First Lady and a senior member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), issued a detailed response on Monday to remarks made by senior Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Fazil Mirani, in which he accused members of her family of treason, as reported by Channel8, a media outlet and TV affiliated with the PUK.

In a statement titled “A Message to Fazil Mirani,” Shanaz challenged Mirani’s claims and presented a historical account of Kurdish political events, citing her family’s role in shaping the region’s modern history.

She described Mirani’s comments as “an absurdity that disrespects the memory of the dead.”

“Opening the pages of treason is one matter, but we must first define what treason means in your political culture and how it differs from our Kurdish understanding,” Shanaz wrote.

The First Lady recalled historical disputes between Kurdish political families, referencing events dating back to the 1940s.

“You mentioned the 1960s, but I would like to return to the Mahabad Republic in the 1940s,” she said.

She questioned whether it was her father or Mirani’s father who turned away from Peshawa Qazi Muhammad, crossed the Aras Creek, or later brought her father back to Iraq from Russia, shaping his political trajectory.

Shanaz also referred to the 1975 Algiers Agreement, which ended a Kurdish uprising. “Was it my father or your father who supported the treaty that removed Kirkuk from Kurdish control?” she asked.

She accused KDP leaders of siding with Baghdad during critical moments, which she said undermined Kurdish political and territorial interests.

The statement included sharp critiques of historical interactions with regional leaders. “Who bent down to kiss the hand of the Shah of Iran? Was it your family or mine?” Shanaz asked, mentioning her father’s attempts to prevent violence against prominent Kurdish figures, including Ali Askari, Dr. Khalid, and Sheikh Hussein, during periods of internal division.

Shanaz also referenced more recent events, including the Islamic State’s (ISIS) capture of Sinjar. She asked, “Was it us or you who surrendered Sinjar and allowed our girls to be sold in Raqqa?”

She further questioned who lost majority control over Kurdistan, including Kirkuk, during a controversial referendum, and criticized cultural changes in the city of Erbil.

While the statement contained accusations, Shanaz emphasized the need for restraint and responsibility in public discourse.

“We were not raised to disrespect the dead, but your remarks cross a line,” she wrote. Shanaz indicated that she possesses documents and recordings involving Kurdish leaders such as Qazi Muhammad, Mullah Mustafa Barzani, Idris Barzani, and Massoud Barzani that could be made public if required.

She concluded by affirming her commitment to stability and peace in the Kurdistan Region. “Silence does not mean our tongues are cut or our fingers have fallen off,” she wrote. “We remain responsible for the lives of our citizens and for maintaining peace, unity, and stability in our region.”

Shanaz also addressed what she described as persistent political manipulation. “Unfortunately, you remain the same, relying on arrangements that favor you. You neither respect the dead nor the living and attempt to claim positions of influence through opportunistic means,” she said.

The exchange between Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed and Fazil Mirani highlights ongoing tensions between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Kurdistan Democratic Party, the two main political forces in the autonomous region.

Analysts note that historical grievances and differing interpretations of past events continue to shape political discourse in the Kurdistan Region, influencing both local governance and broader relations with Baghdad.

Shanaz’s full message contained numerous references to historical and political events in Kurdistan, including military actions in Kani Husseini in the 1960s, disputes over oil revenues, and the civil conflict between Kurdish parties.

She repeatedly contrasted her family’s actions with those of the KDP leadership, emphasizing her view that her father prioritized Kurdish unity and civilian protection.

In her statement, Shanaz questioned decisions made during pivotal moments in Kurdish history, including the delivery of Iraqi government weapons to certain villages, the treatment of Kurdish officers and opposition figures in Erbil, and the handling of disputed territories during referendums.

She criticized what she described as the commercialization of cultural sites in Erbil and the city’s transformation under KDP administration.

Shanaz also addressed the potential consequences of escalating rhetoric. She warned that digging into the past and accusing deceased leaders could have political repercussions.

“By igniting sparks in the graves of the dead, you may dig your own,” she said. Her statement suggested that she could release evidence, including letters and recordings, to support her perspective if necessary.

The exchange illustrates the enduring influence of family legacies in Kurdish politics. Both the PUK and KDP remain heavily tied to their historical leadership, and debates over past events, including alliances, treaties, and internal conflicts, continue to inform political narratives and current policy decisions.

Shanaz’s response, while targeting Fazil Mirani, also carried a broader message about political responsibility, peace, and the protection of citizens in the Kurdistan Region.

Observers say that the language of the statement, while pointed, reflects the continued sensitivity around historical interpretations and political accountability in the region.

The statement closes with a symbolic warning to political rivals. Shanaz emphasized that positions of power should be earned through accountability and service, rather than relying on inherited influence or opportunistic strategies.

Her message reinforces the intersection of history, politics, and public perception in the Kurdistan Region, illustrating the complexities of Kurdish leadership and internal rivalries.

(With files from Channel8.com)