37 Years After Halabja, Kurdistan Remembers the Victims of Chemical Warfare

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Today marks the 37th anniversary of the Halabja chemical attack, a dark chapter in Kurdish history where the scars of genocide remain unhealed, both on the bodies of survivors and in the conscience of the world. Despite decades having passed, victims of the Baath regime’s atrocities still suffer from physical and psychological wounds, while justice and compensation remain elusive.

On March 16, 1988, in the final stages of the eight-year Iraq-Iran war, the Iraqi Baathist regime launched a brutal chemical attack on Halabja, deploying lethal gases, including mustard gas, cyanide, sarin, and tabun. The massacre killed thousands instantly, leaving streets littered with lifeless bodies—men, women, and children—all victims of one of the most heinous war crimes of the 20th century.

The attack not only caused mass killings but also forced the displacement of 140,000 people. Hundreds of families were separated, and to this day, many individuals remain missing. The Baath regime went further by leveling Halabja and its surrounding townships, including Sirwan, Khurmal, Biara, and Sayyid Sadiq. Over 25,000 homes were reduced to rubble, while entire villages were erased from the map.

Many survivors who fled to Iran in search of safety were arrested and tortured upon their return, with some transferred to the notorious Nugra Salman prison. Those who lived through the horror of the attack continue to battle severe health issues, frequently requiring medication and treatment both within Kurdistan and abroad. Even today, dozens of victims carry unhealed wounds, reminders of a genocide for which justice has yet to be fully served.

Lack of Compensation from Iraq

Following the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003, the Halabja chemical attack case was brought before the High Criminal Court in 2007. Three years later, in 2010, the court officially recognized the attack as genocide—a decision ratified by both the Iraqi Council of Representatives and the Federal Government. Yet, despite this recognition, successive Iraqi governments have failed to provide meaningful compensation to the victims and their families.

Instead of implementing the long-promised compensation measures, the General Secretariat of the Federal Council of Ministers announced on March 10, 2025, that March 16 would be an official holiday in all Iraqi institutions—a symbolic gesture that does little to address the suffering of survivors or the need for reparations.

Healthcare Challenges for Survivors

To support victims of the chemical attack, a specialized hospital was opened in Halabja on March 7, 2019. However, the facility still lacks essential medications, forcing many survivors to seek treatment in hospitals across Kurdistan and beyond. Currently, around 400 survivors continue to receive medical care, but access to comprehensive treatment remains an ongoing challenge.

Halabja’s Path to Provincial Status and Development Efforts

On March 13, 2014, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) officially designated Halabja as a province, marking an important step toward addressing the needs of its residents. Today, Halabja is the fourth province of the Kurdistan Region, covering an area of 889 square kilometers. Its fertile lands make it a key agricultural hub, with over 150,000 dunams dedicated to farming. The province consists of 156 villages, three townships—Sirwan, Bamo, and Biara—and one sub-district, Khurmal, which was officially recognized by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani last year.

The ninth KRG cabinet has prioritized Halabja’s reconstruction, with several new institutions and general directorates established to improve governance and public services. Infrastructure projects, including road expansion, water supply systems, and educational institutions, have been implemented to support the region’s development.

Tourism and Agriculture: Halabja’s Growing Sectors

Due to its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, Halabja has emerged as a major tourism destination in Kurdistan. Every year, nearly 300,000 domestic and foreign tourists visit the region’s most prominent sites, including Chawg, Bawa Kochak, Gulan, Aweser, and Zalm.

Agriculturally, Halabja is a vital contributor to the Kurdistan Region’s food supply. The province has 110,000 dunams of agricultural land, with 60,000 dunams cultivated with wheat annually. It is also home to 38 poultry farms, 11 livestock and fish farming projects, and 68 greenhouse initiatives. Additionally, several major food processing and industrial projects, such as the Rasan Food Complex and Sharazoor Tomato Water Factory, are driving economic growth.

Festivals and Cultural Identity

The Pomegranate and Autumn Festival is Halabja’s most renowned cultural event, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year. The festival showcases the region’s rich agricultural heritage, with over 900 local farmers and craftsmen displaying their products. The event highlights Halabja’s unique traditions and its resilience in the face of historical suffering.

Investment and Infrastructure Projects

Under the ninth KRG cabinet, more than 132 development projects have been initiated in Halabja, covering diverse sectors. Among them:

- 57 road and transportation projects
- 20 water and sewage infrastructure projects
- 14 education-related projects
- 14 general infrastructure and service projects
- 8 government and civil society projects
- 5 agricultural development projects
- 4 energy production projects
- 4 healthcare initiatives
- 3 tourism-focused projects
- 2 construction projects
- 1 banking and financial services project

These projects reflect the commitment of the Kurdistan Regional Government to revitalizing Halabja, ensuring that its people not only remember the past but also look forward to a future of prosperity and progress.

Remembering Halabja: A Call for Justice and Recognition

On this solemn day, Kurds in the Kurdistan Region, across the broader Kurdish territories, and in the diaspora hold moments of silence and organize events to honor the victims of the Halabja genocide. The tragedy remains a painful reminder of the crimes committed against the Kurdish people and the urgent need for accountability and justice.

While Halabja has made significant strides in development, the pain of its past remains deeply embedded in its people. Until genuine reparations are made and international justice is served, the memory of March 16, 1988, will continue to haunt history as a moment of unparalleled cruelty and resilience.