PM Barzani Honors Victims of Feyli Kurds Genocide, Calls for Compensation
"After 45 years, it is time the federal government takes responsibility and provides compensation to the families of the victims," the Prime Minister stated.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a statement released on Friday, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani reaffirmed the commitment to honoring the memory of the victims of the Feyli Kurds genocide, who tragically lost their lives due to their Kurdish identity.
The Prime Minister expressed deep sorrow over the horrific events that unfolded more than four decades ago, which saw the systematic targeting of the Feyli Kurds in one of the darkest chapters of Iraq's history. The statement emphasized the resilience of the Feyli Kurdish community, whose suffering continues to resonate across generations.
"After 45 years, it is time the federal government takes responsibility and provides compensation to the families of the victims," the Prime Minister stated, highlighting the need for justice and acknowledgment from the central government.
This call for compensation comes as part of ongoing efforts to address the historical grievances of the Feyli Kurds, whose loss has yet to be fully recognized at the national level. The Kurdistan Region has long championed the rights of the Feyli Kurdish community, ensuring that their memories are preserved and their struggles are not forgotten.
As the Kurdistan Region continues to honor the victims, this statement signals a renewed push for federal recognition and the compensation that survivors and the families of those lost so rightfully deserve.
The Feylis are ethnic Kurds and followers of the Shiite sect of Islam. The former Ba’athist regime in the early 1980s launched a systematic ethnic cleansing campaign. Thousands were killed, and others were deported to Iran, stripped of their Iraqi citizenship. The widespread campaign included Baghdad, Diyala, Kut, Khanaqin, Jalawla, Numaniyah, Mandali, Naft Khana, Badra, Gassan, and many other places.
Between 10,000 and 20,000 young Feylis are estimated to have been killed by the former regime. Many Feylis, predominantly merchants and businesses, were stripped of their properties and assets.
Although the Iraqi High Tribunal in 2008 and the Iraqi Parliament in 2010 officially recognized the genocide of the Feyli Kurds, they have not been granted Iraqi citizenship nor compensated for the crimes committed against them.
We honor the memory of the victims of the Feyli Kurds genocide, who were killed in a horrific wave because of their Kurdish identity.
— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) April 4, 2025
After 45 years, it is time the federal government compensates the families. pic.twitter.com/Abo4g6lann
