Iraqi Presidency Recalls Halabja Chemical Attack

Iraq 12:59 PM - 2024-03-16

Iraqi President among Iraqi officials standing a minute of silence for Halabja Martyrs.

Under the patronage and in the presence of Iraqi President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid, the Presidency of the Republic organised a pause of silence on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the Peace Palace in Baghdad, on the occasion of the anniversary of the Halabja chemical attack by the former regime.

Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji attended the event, as did members of parliament, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions in Baghdad, and high-ranking officials and employees of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region's Presidency.

Dr. Kamel Karim al-Dulaimi, Chief of the Office of the President of the Republic, delivered a speech condemning the use of chemical weapons against Halabja residents. He described it as a crime and a horrific act that deeply affected humanity's moral sensibilities and drew global attention to the oppressive regime's use of internationally prohibited weapons against innocent Kurdish civilians.

Dulaimi emphasised the significance of further developing the democratic system in a federal state as a crucial measure to avoid regression and the resurgence of autocracy. He expressed gratitude for the sacrifices of the martyrs, the families who suffered, and the city of Halabja, which stands as a proud and esteemed national symbol.

The head of the presidential office also highlighted the importance of ongoing, dedicated efforts to establish the city of Halabja as a governorate in the Kurdistan Region. He also stressed the necessity to enhance the city with all necessary amenities and ensure its residents can have a life that is free, dignified, and secure.

 

Note* On March 16, 1988, the warplanes of Iraq's previous Ba'ath regime, led by dictator Saddam Hussein, dropped a deadly mixture of chemical weapons on the city of Halabja. This attack resulted in the deaths of at least 5,000 individuals, predominantly women and children, and caused injuries to hundreds of others. The Halabja chemical attack, officially acknowledged as an act of genocide by Iraq's High Court in 2010, has indelibly marked the collective memory of the Kurdish people. The attack was a component of a broader Anfal genocide operation, which resulted in the death of more than 182,000 Kurds under the rule of the Baathist state.

 

PUKMEDIA