Kurdish Democratic Party (Lebanon)

Kurdish Democratic Party in Lebanon
Founded1960 (1960)
Dissolved1991 (1991)
IdeologyKurdish nationalism
National conservatism
Economic liberalism
Right-wing populism
Barzanism
International affiliationKurdistan Democratic Party
Parliament of Lebanon
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Website
www.kdp-lebanon.org
Armed Wing
LeaderJamil Mihhu
Dates of operation1975 (1975)–1991
HeadquartersBeqaa valley
Active regions Lebanon
Iraqi Kurdistan
Size3,000
Allies Ba'athist Iraq
PLO
Al-Mourabitoun
Hezbollah
CAOL
SSNP-L (Anti-Syrian government faction)
PSP
LCP
Opponents Syria
Israel
Iraqi Kurdistan
Amal Movement
SSNP-L (Pro-Syrian government faction)
PNSF
Battles and warsLebanese Civil War

The Kurdish Democratic Party in Lebanon (Kurmanji Kurdish: Parti a Demoqrat a Kurdî e Lubnan, lit.'Kurdish Democratic Party in Lebanon'; Arabic: الحزب الديمقراطي الكردي في لبنان, romanizedḤizb al-Dīmuqrāṭī al-Kurdī fī Lubnān, lit.'Kurdish Democratic Party in Lebanon' French: Parti Democratique Kurde – Liban, lit.'Kurdish Democratic Party – Lebanon'), is the Lebanese branch of a namesake Iraqi-based Kurdish nationalist party, established by Jamil Mihhu in 1960, and based in Lebanon. However, it was not licensed until 24 September 1970.

After the intra conflict within KDP which led to schism and the party split up. Mihhu challenged Masoud Barzani and supported the Iraqi government against Kurdish rebels fighting for an independent Iraqi Kurdistan. Mihhu was captured, tortured and later executed by the peshmerga in Iraq on the orders of Masoud Barzani.

Consequently, the leadership of the party passed to Jamil's son, Riyad. Another son, Muhammad, disagreed with his family's position on several issues and therefore in 1977 started his own movement, the Kurdish Democratic Party-Temporary Leadership.

The party ceased activities in 1991 after the death of Jamil Mihhu, and lost its legal status in 1991.