Iraq Sends Delegation to Iran to Investigate Fate of Halabja's Missing Children
In addition to addressing the Halabja case, Minister Hussein emphasized ongoing efforts to locate missing Yazidis abducted by the Islamic State (ISIS) during its 2014 assault on Sinjar. "We continue our search for missing Yazidis, especially women and children who were taken to Syria," he said.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced on Tuesday that Baghdad has dispatched a delegation to Tehran to investigate the fate of children who went missing during the 1988 chemical attack on Halabja Province of the Kurdistan Region. The initiative aims to locate and identify the whereabouts of the 211 children who disappeared during the attack.
"We have sent a delegation to Iran to search for the missing children of Halabja," Hussein stated during a press conference in Baghdad. "Our efforts to find missing Yazidis also continue in coordination with both the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and international organizations."
The Halabja chemical attack, carried out by Saddam Hussein's regime on March 16, 1988, resulted in the deaths of over 5,000 civilians and injured thousands more. In the aftermath, many survivors, including children, were taken to Iran for medical treatment. However, numerous children were separated from their families, and their fates have remained unknown for decades.
According to the KRG's Ministry of Martyrs and Anfal Affairs, only 10 of the 211 missing children have been located and reunited with their families. The newly formed "Missing Children of Halabja Board," led by Minister Abdullah Haji Mahmoud, is spearheading the current efforts to uncover the fate of the remaining children. The delegation's visit to Tehran includes meetings with Iranian officials to facilitate the search and identification process.
In addition to addressing the Halabja case, Minister Hussein emphasized ongoing efforts to locate missing Yazidis abducted by the Islamic State (ISIS) during its 2014 assault on Sinjar. "We continue our search for missing Yazidis, especially women and children who were taken to Syria," he said. "This is a collaborative effort involving the KRG, the Iraqi federal government, and international organizations."
The Yazidi community suffered immensely under ISIS, with thousands killed or enslaved. According to the KRG's Office for Rescuing Kidnapped Yazidis, out of 6,417 abducted individuals, 3,585 have been rescued, while approximately 2,500 remain missing, many believed to be in Syria.
The collaboration between Baghdad, Erbil, and international partners is seen as a crucial step toward healing and justice for the victims of past atrocities.
