High Representative Visits Imperial War Museum in London

News : 2/25/2026

London, United Kingdom, www.uk.gov.krd. Kurdistan Regional Government High  Representative Karwan Jamal Tahir paid an official visit to the Imperial War Museum in London, where he was received by Jack Gellthorpe and Kara McLoughlin from the museum’s curator and design department.

Museum officials guided the KRG delegation through the institution’s main galleries, which are organised chronologically into four sections: the First World War, the Second World War, the Holocaust and the period from 1945 to 2000, and a final section covering events from 2000 to the present, including the war to liberate Iraq and the rise of ISIS.

During the tour, museum representatives outlined the institution’s curatorial approach, which examines both military leadership and the wider human cost of conflict. The museum houses approximately 33 million items related to modern warfare and its impact. Officials also noted plans to further develop exhibits relating to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, highlighting the United Kingdom’s military role and the effects of conflict on local populations.

Mr Tahir described the visit as significant and expressed appreciation for the warm reception. He emphasised the longstanding historical relationship between the Kurdistan Region and the United Kingdom, dating back to the early 20th century, and said ties had strengthened particularly after 1991. He acknowledged the UK’s role in establishing a safe haven and no-fly zone over the Kurdistan Region, as well as its military support to Peshmerga forces following the rise of ISIS.

The KRG representative also underscored the importance of documenting the impact of war on civilians, referring to the chemical attack on Halabja in 1988, in which approximately 5,000 civilians were killed. He said such atrocities should be represented in international museums to ensure that the crimes of Saddam Hussein’s regime are neither forgotten nor repeated.

Discussions during the visit focused on potential cooperation between the KRG and the Imperial War Museum. Mr Tahir proposed organising a delegation visit to the Kurdistan Region to coordinate with Kurdish museums and relevant authorities. The aim would be to identify military equipment used in campaigns against the Kurdish people, examine its impact on civilians, and explore the possible display of materials seized by Peshmerga forces during the fight against ISIS.

The meeting concluded with both sides expressing interest in strengthening collaboration to promote historical awareness and preserve the memory of those affected by conflict.