PUK President: We Remain Committed to Serving the City of Martyrs

PUK President's Media

PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani.

On the 37th anniversary of the chemical attack on Halabja, Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), expressed unwavering solidarity with the martyrs' families, reaffirming commitment to serve the city.

On 16 March 1988, the fallen Iraqi Ba'ath regime bombed the city of Halabja with banned chemical weapons, martyring over 5000 innocent Kurdish civilians, including women, children, and the elderly. The attack also injured more than 10,000 others, most of whom still suffer from their wounds to this day.

President Bafel's message for the 37th anniversary of the chemical attack on Halabja said:

We stand in unwavering solidarity with the proud families of the martyrs and victims of chemical weapons. 

Halabja is a symbol of the sacrifice and oppression endured by our people. Thirty-seven years after the genocide and chemical attack on this resilient city, its scars and lasting effects continue to impact both its people and its land. 

We understand the pain of our people and their rightful demands in proud Halabja. I stand with you in your grievances and needs, committed to being at the forefront of defending your rights and serving as your true advocate to achieve them.

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) is working tirelessly on the Halabja cause through its representatives in legislative and executive bodies. We remain committed to serving the city of martyrs and its beloved people—a duty that every PUK member proudly upholds.

It is time to move beyond slogans and take practical steps to rebuild Halabja. We must work together on a national project to secure a vote in the Iraqi parliament for Halabja's governorship, ensure compensation for the victims, and provide more services to the region.

It is the government's duty to prioritise Halabja, provide the necessary budget, and allocate financial entitlements that reflect the city's significance and enduring legacy.

Bafel Jalal Talabani
President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan



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