PM Barzani Welcomes Iraqi Parliament’s Recognition of Halabja as Province
In a statement, Prime Minister Barzani extended his "warmest congratulations" to the people of Halabja, referring to them as "resilient and oppressed."
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Monday welcomed the Iraqi Parliament’s approval of a bill officially recognizing Halabja as Iraq’s newest province, hailing the move as a long-overdue acknowledgment of the city's tragic past and resilient people.
In a statement, Prime Minister Barzani extended his "warmest congratulations" to the people of Halabja, referring to them as "resilient and oppressed." He described the recognition as a symbolic tribute to the suffering endured by Halabja’s residents, particularly in reference to the 1988 chemical attack that killed thousands of civilians.
“This decision is a recognition of the suffering endured by the patriotic and loving people of Halabja,” Barzani said. “I also congratulate the members of the House of Representatives and hope that the completion of the procedures for Halabja's provincial status will mark the beginning of further service to the people of this province.”
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) commitment to honoring the sacrifices of Halabja’s people and martyrs, promising continued efforts to improve services not only in Halabja but across the entire Kurdistan Region.
“The Kurdistan Regional Government, which always acknowledges its debt to the sacrifices made by the families of our proud martyrs, will continue to provide enhanced services to the people of Halabja and all other regions of Kurdistan,” Barzani stated.
Halabja’s recognition as a province has been a longstanding demand from its residents with previous efforts delayed due to bureaucratic and political hurdles in Baghdad. The Iraqi Parliament’s decision marks a significant milestone in addressing those concerns.
