Kurdistan’s Halabja commemorates massacre on 33rd anniversary
ERBIL, KRG, Iraq (North Press) – On Tuesday, the city of Halabja in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRG) witnessed a march on the 33rd anniversary of the Halabja chemical attack by the former Iraqi regime which left more than 5,000 casualties.
The march started from Ali Khawer, heading towards the martyrs’ monument in order to lay wreaths.
The ceremonies commemorating the incident will last until after noon, holding several events and activities.
Last year, the city did not witness any events on this occasion due to the imposed measures against the coronavirus outbreak.
The Halabja Massacre, carried out in 1980s by the Iraqi regime led by Saddam Hussein, killed around 5,000 Kurds and injured at least 7,000, most of whom were children, women, and the elderly.
Halabja, in the far east of KRG, was subordinate to the Sulaymaniyah governorate and became its own governorate in 2015.
On Tuesday, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said in a statement, “Several service projects will be implemented in Halabja regarding transportation routes, bridges, water, electricity, and rehabilitating schools and hospitals.”
On Monday, Deputy Prime Minister of KRG Qubad Talabani tweeted, “Our Kurdish annual calendar is full of painful memories in March, but also in each year, and we only release statements, denounce, and condemn.”
Talabani wondered, “What have we gained from these statements and remarks? Are not all these sacrifices and bloodshed enough to recognize the national issues and red lines?”
“Tomorrow marks the anniversary of Halabja chemical attack, so let us set 14 April, which remarks the anniversary of al-Anfal Campaign, as a day to commemorate of all victims of Kurdistan,” he added.
On Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kazemi commemorated Halabja’s Massacre and described it as “a painful chapter in the history of our people’s struggle against tyranny and dictatorship.”
“Halabja was a very costly sacrifice paid by our Kurdish people in particular, just as our Iraqi people in general paid their offerings on the altar of liberation and salvation from the injustice of an arrogant ruler who caused havoc, murder, and vicious and bloody wars,” al-Kazemi added.