President Barzani, PM Barzani Lead Tribute for Halabja’s 37th Anniversary
Earlier, President Masoud Barzani, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, and Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani issued statements urging Iraq to compensate victims and recognize Halabja as an official province.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Region observed a solemn day of remembrance on Sunday, marking the 37th anniversary of the Halabja chemical attack. At precisely 11:00 AM, leaders across the region paused to honor the memory of the thousands of innocent lives lost in one of the most horrific chemical weapons assaults against civilians in modern history.
Among those leading the commemoration were President Masoud Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, who took part in official ceremonies to pay tribute to the victims.
The Barzani Headquarters shared images on its official social media platforms, showing President Barzani standing alongside his staff in silent reverence.
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also participated in the observance with members of his office, underscoring the significance of the day for the Kurdistan Region and its people.
The attack on Halabja, carried out on March 16, 1988, by Saddam Hussein’s Baathist regime, remains one of the darkest chapters in Kurdish history. Iraqi warplanes dropped a lethal cocktail of chemical agents, including mustard gas and sarin, on the city, instantly killing more than 5,000 people and severely injuring over 10,000 others.
The devastating effects of the attack continue to be felt to this day, with survivors suffering from chronic health conditions and psychological trauma.
Read More: 37 Years After Halabja, Kurdistan Remembers the Victims of Chemical Warfare
Earlier in the day, President Masoud Barzani, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, and Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani issued statements marking the occasion.
Their messages highlighted the ongoing responsibility of the Iraqi federal government to formally compensate the victims and recognize Halabja as an official province of Iraq.
In his message, released via his official X account on Sunday, President Barzani paid tribute to the thousands who lost their lives in the massacre and emphasized that the pain of Halabja remains deeply ingrained in the collective memory of the Kurdish people.
“The wounds and pain of the Halabja chemical attack will forever remain in the heart and soul of every Kurdish person and will not be forgotten,” President Barzani stated.
“The responsibility for this crime against humanity and its consequences, including compensation for the victims' families, rests on the shoulders of the Iraqi state,” he stated.
Read More: ‘The Iraqi State Bears Full Responsibility for Halabja’s Suffering’, President Barzani
Kurdistan Region’s President Barzani reaffirmed his stance that the people of Halabja and all victims of genocide must receive the compensation and services they deserve. He urged the Iraqi government to meet its legal and moral obligations toward Halabja, fulfill its commitments to the victims, and finalize the long-overdue approval of Halabja’s status as a province.
Read More: KRP Barzani: Halabja’s Pain Endures, Justice Must Be Served
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani reiterated that the KRG considers it a primary duty to enhance services and improve the quality of life for Halabja’s residents. He acknowledged the ongoing challenges faced by the province and assured that further efforts would be made to meet the needs of its people.
Read More: 'Regrettable That Baghdad Has Not Provided Justice for Halabja,' PM Barzani
“In recent years, numerous service projects have been implemented in various sectors in Halabja Province. However, we recognize that Halabja requires additional services. In this regard, we reassure the respected and sacrificing residents of Halabja Province that we will provide better and increased services to the area in the future,” he stated.