Surchi Tribal Chief Accuses KDP of Targeting Kurdish Tribes & Calls for Support of the PUK

PUKMEDIA

Zaid Omar Agha Surchi, the chief of the Surchi tribe and his son.

Zaid Omar Agha Surchi, the chief of the Surchi tribe, has strongly criticised the authorities in the Yellow Zone and the leadership of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), accusing them of opposing and suppressing Kurdish tribes across the Region.

“They have killed many members of these tribes,” Surchi said. “All the suffering of the Kurdish people stems from them, which is why I call on everyone to vote for the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).”

The tribal leader revealed that he has been barred from returning to his home region for thirty years. “They have not allowed me to return to our region for decades,” he said. “I cannot even campaign for my son, who is a candidate. He can only return to our area because he is on the PUK list. I told my PUK comrades that I could not send my son back and protect him. I have not even seen the graves of my father and mother — they will not allow the bodies of our people to be buried in their own land.”

Condemning the continued oppression, Surchi added: “They are not only killing tribal chiefs, but also journalists. They burn the beards of religious figures, assault teachers who educate our children, and undermine the dignity of university lecturers. They are responsible for all the suffering that has befallen the Kurdish people.”

Reflecting on the political history of the Region, Surchi said that before the uprising, some parties had sought to weaken the influence of major Kurdish tribes. “They tried to reduce the power of the Bradost, Sherwani, Muzuri, Dolamari, Surchi, Rekani, Zebari, and Harki tribes,” he explained. “They wanted the revolution to stop against the tribes, but they failed.”

Discussing the stance of political movements after the uprising, he continued: “The KDP has not only attacked the tribes but also targeted other parties, including the Socialists, the Islamic Union, the Conservative Party, and the PUK. It is impossible that all these families, tribes, and parties are bad, and only they are good — that simply does not make sense.”

Expressing his affection for his home city, Surchi said: “I have great respect for the people of Erbil — I am a son of that city. They are kind and honourable people, and I hold them in the highest regard. Therefore, I call on the people of Erbil to go to the polls. And if you do not vote for my son, then vote for the PUK.”



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