Iraqi First Lady: The Killing of Women and Children Achieves Nothing

Iraq 11:55 AM - 2024-12-25

Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed Speaking to the Press.

The Iraqi First Lady, Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed, has stated that the mass grave recently discovered is further evidence of the former regime's brutality.

Speaking at a press conference, which was covered by PUKMEDIA, the First Lady said: "We must learn from the past. Tyrants must understand that the killing of women and children achieves nothing. We will continue to support the families of Anfal victims and work towards returning the remains of the Anfal martyrs. I will personally strive to resolve this issue, as it is unacceptable to leave the remains of the martyrs in the deserts of Samawah any longer."

She added: "The process of returning the remains of the Anfal victims is long and challenging. During the excavation of the new mass grave, we saw mothers embracing their children and children holding each other. We must learn from the past, promote lessons of peace, coexistence, loyalty, and reconciliation, and work tirelessly to foster peace and stability in our country."

Ms. Shanaz stressed: "We are committed, as we promised the victims' families, to make progress on this matter. We will work to return the remains to their families after completing the necessary procedures to match the samples and identify the victims. We will then hand them over to their families for proper funeral and burial rites, in a way that honours their great sacrifices in the struggle for freedom."

She explained that these efforts are part of the government's commitment to the innocent, noting that there is still much work to be done, with many graves still yet to be unearthed, since this mass grave is only the second to be opened since 2019. 

The First Lady expressed gratitude for the efforts of the national team, including the Department of Forensic Medicine in the Ministry of Health, the Department of Mass Graves in the Martyrs Foundation, and the International Commission on Missing Persons, for their role in the lawful, scientific, and proper excavation of the largest grave of women and children martyred in the Anfal campaign.

PUKMEDIA