Erbil – April 14, 2026
The President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, issued a formal statement today on the 38th anniversary of the infamous Anfal campaign, remembering the horrific crime perpetrated by the former Iraqi regime in 1988, which claimed the lives of over 182,000 innocent civilians.
President Barzani described the Anfal campaign as a “brutal attempt to eradicate a peaceful people,” noting that the scars of this tragedy “continue to affect our nation today.” He paid tribute to the memories of the martyrs and expressed his heartfelt condolences to their resilient families.
Regarding legal obligations, the statement reiterated that, in accordance with the Iraqi High Criminal Court’s ruling, it remains “the duty of the Iraqi Federal Government to provide compensation to the victims’ families,” both materially and morally.
On the international front, President Barzani affirmed that the Kurdistan Region will “persist in our efforts to have Anfal recognized as an act of genocide.” He further highlighted the humanitarian and national obligation to “tirelessly pursue the search for and return of the martyrs’ remains” to their homeland, while ensuring that surviving families receive significantly more support and services.
Concluding his message, the President stressed that safeguarding the constitutional status of the Kurdistan Region and its achievements “can only be realized through the unity and joint efforts of all political parties and communities.” He emphasized that such unity represents the “highest form of respect for the martyrs’ sacrifices” and is essential for securing a brighter future for the next generations.
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