Iraqi Parliament Approves Halabja as Iraq’s Newest Province
Sipan Sherwani, a member of the Iraqi Parliament, congratulated President Barzani for being the first to propose Halabja’s provincial status, and extended his congratulations to the people and families of the martyrs of Halabja.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — In a moment charged with symbolism and long-awaited justice, the Iraqi Parliament on Monday officially passed the bill to elevate Halabja to the status of a province. The decision, made with a clear majority vote during a highly anticipated session, marked a milestone for the people of Halabja and the Kurdish nation at large.
The move came after years of advocacy and political maneuvering, with the bill first introduced in the Iraqi Parliament in 2023. Despite repeated postponements since March due to lack of quorum, Monday’s session finally brought the long-debated issue to a conclusion. At precisely 3:15 PM, the Iraqi Parliament convened with 178 members present. The vote on the Halabja bill was the first item on the six-point agenda, and it passed with widespread support from Kurdish, Shiite, and Sunni factions.
Shwan Kalari, a member of the Iraqi Council of Representatives, told Kurdistan24: “Today is a historic day. We did not read all the statements about the Anfal commemoration, just to avoid creating problems and excuses.” He added that Halabja, like Iraq’s other 18 provinces, would now benefit from full provincial rights and allocations within the framework of the federal government.
Sipan Sherwani, another member of the Iraqi Parliament, extended heartfelt congratulations: “I congratulate President Barzani on Halabja becoming the 19th province of Iraq, as he was the first person to propose making Halabja a province to serve its people. I also congratulate each and every family of the Halabja martyrs and the people of Halabja.”
Sherwani highlighted the collaborative effort behind the passage of the bill, emphasizing the roles played by key parliamentary figures: “In this parliamentary session, we have been working on this project from the beginning. Many obstacles were created, but thanks to the efforts of our friends, the bill was approved—especially Dr. Shakhawan Abdullah, Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, along with Mohsen Mandalawi, First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, and all Kurdish factions and other Shiite and Sunni factions. Thanks to God, the bill to make Halabja a province was approved.”
According to MP Chro Sharif, coordination between the KDP and PUK leaderships and other Iraqi political blocs had been instrumental in ensuring the vote would not face further delay. “Political agreements with Shiite and Sunni parties were reached to support the Halabja province bill, and they pledged to do so,” he told Kurdistan24.
The path to provincial recognition began with the bill’s first reading on April 2, 2023, followed by a second reading on May 4, 2023. The newly established Halabja Province comprises the central district of Halabja and the towns of Khurmal, Byara, Sirwan, and Bamo. It shares an 18-kilometer border with Eastern Kurdistan through the Shushmi-Tawela and Pshta border crossings.
Halabja’s recognition as a province carries profound historical and emotional weight. Known worldwide as the site of the 1988 chemical attack by Saddam Hussein’s regime, which killed approximately 5,000 civilians, Halabja has long stood as a symbol of Kurdish suffering and resilience. Monday’s parliamentary vote is being hailed as a long-overdue tribute to the city’s sacrifices and its determination to overcome tragedy.
The decision not only bestows legal status and administrative powers on Halabja but also represents a turning point in its development prospects. With provincial status, Halabja will now receive its own budget, administrative autonomy, and greater representation—tools that local leaders hope will enable them to address decades of underdevelopment and neglect.
As the news spread, scenes of jubilation unfolded across Halabja. Families of martyrs, civic leaders, and ordinary citizens filled the streets to celebrate a moment that had eluded them for decades. The Kurdistan Regional Government welcomed the outcome and pledged full support in helping Halabja build the institutions and infrastructure needed to thrive as Iraq’s 19th province.
This historic decision, timed poignantly with the annual commemoration of the Anfal genocide, affirms that justice for Halabja—though long delayed—is not forgotten. More updates to follow from Kurdistan24’s team in Baghdad and Halabja as the implementation of this transformative decision continues.
