KurdNation: Today, Sunday, 21 Pushper 2726 in the Kurdish calendar, corresponding to 12 July 2026, Lindsey Graham’s office issued a statement announcing: “On the evening of Saturday, 11 July 2026, Lindsey Graham, the American senator, passed away due to a sudden illness.”
On this occasion, the Kurdistan Independence Party issued a message of condolence, the text of which is as follows:
With the passing of Senator Graham, the Kurdish nation has lost one of its influential voices and supporters in the United States Congress; a personality who, at several sensitive and historic moments, openly stood beside the Kurds and defended the security, rights and political existence of the Kurdish nation.
Lindsey Graham was a strong supporter of the just Kurdish cause in all four parts of Kurdistan. At the same time, he was a staunch opponent of the Iranian regime and believed that the path to peace and security in the region depended on the removal of the Islamic Republic regime in Iran.
Senator Graham recognised the role of the Peshmerga forces of Kurdistan in the fight against terrorism and supported the direct provision of weapons, training and military assistance to the Peshmerga forces. He also described the Peshmerga as one of America’s most reliable allies in the fight against ISIS.
He also did not remain silent in the face of the abandonment of the Kurdish forces of Western Kurdistan by the United States and warned that turning one’s back on those allies who had sacrificed thousands of lives in the fight against ISIS was not only a betrayal of the Kurds, but would also cause great damage to the credibility and interests of the United States.
Senator Graham took a stand against the attacks of the Turkish regime on Western Kurdistan, worked to impose sanctions on the individuals and parties involved in those attacks, warned of the danger of the ethnic cleansing of the Kurds, and emphasised the need to establish an international mechanism for the protection of the Kurds.
The introduction of the “Save the Kurds Act” in 2026 was one of his clearest actions in support of the Kurds. That step demonstrated that his defence of the Kurdish nation was not limited to speeches and political statements, but continued in the form of legislative initiatives and practical efforts.
He also supported the legitimate rights of the Kurdish nation, the political and constitutional status of the Kurdistan Region, the Region’s fair share of the budget of occupying Iraq, the resumption of oil exports, and the protection of Kurdistan’s security and stability. He consistently emphasised that the Kurds must not be forgotten after the end of wars or become victims of regional and international deals and agreements.
The Kurdish nation will never forget his service, positions and support, particularly during the difficult days of the war against ISIS, the attack on Kirkuk, the assault on Western Kurdistan, and the threats against the existence of the Kurdish forces.
The Kurdistan Independence Party, while offering its condolences on the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham, expresses its sorrow over this untimely loss at such a sensitive time, and extends its condolences to his family and loved ones, the people of South Carolina, the United States Congress, the government and people of the United States, and the entire Kurdish nation.
His name and memory, as one of the friends of the Kurdish nation and one of the defenders of the principle of loyalty to allies, will remain in the political memory of the Kurdish nation.
May his soul rest in peace, and may his memory remain honoured and respected.
Kurdistan Independence Party
21 Pushper 2726, Kurdish calendar
12 July 2026
