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“It is the duty of the federal government to provide just compensation—both material and moral—to the families of the Anfal victims and all others who suffered under the Ba’ath regime,” he stated.
On the 37th anniversary of the Anfal genocide, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani delivered a heartfelt statement commemorating the victims of the Ba’ath regime’s brutal campaign, calling for justice, recognition, and full compensation for the survivors and their families.
In his official address, Prime Minister Barzani honored the memory of the innocent lives lost during the Anfal campaign, a systematic genocide carried out by Saddam Hussein’s regime in the late 1980s that claimed the lives of over 182,000 Kurds. The campaign involved mass executions, chemical attacks, village demolitions, and the forced disappearance of thousands, many of whom were buried alive in unmarked mass graves across southern and central Iraq.“We remember with deep respect the martyrs and victims of the Anfal genocide, committed against the land and people of Kurdistan,” Barzani said. “This crime remains one of the gravest atrocities in modern history, and its consequences are still felt by the survivors and the Kurdish nation.”
Barzani emphasized that the Anfal genocide was not only a national tragedy but also a moral stain on Iraq’s history—one that demands responsibility and reparation. He called on the federal government of Iraq to fully acknowledge its constitutional, legal, and ethical obligations to the victims.“It is the duty of the federal government to provide just compensation—both material and moral—to the families of the Anfal victims and all others who suffered under the Ba’ath regime,” he stated.
The Prime Minister also reaffirmed the Kurdistan Regional Government’s continued dedication to supporting the survivors and their families. “On this painful anniversary, we renew our pledge to serve the noble families of the Anfal martyrs and all who stood against oppression. Their sacrifices are a beacon of resilience for our nation,” he said.
A Legacy That Demands Justice
The Anfal genocide remains one of the most horrific state-led atrocities in the Middle East. Despite partial recognition by Iraqi courts and limited reparations, Kurdish leaders and human rights advocates say successive federal governments have failed to deliver justice or honor the victims adequately.
Barzani’s statement reflects long-standing frustration in the Kurdistan Region over Baghdad’s slow progress on genocide-related files and compensation. It also highlights the KRG’s ongoing efforts to preserve the memory of the Anfal victims and ensure that their stories are not forgotten.“Glory to the pure souls of Kurdistan’s martyrs,” Barzani concluded. “The memory of the Anfal victims must forever be honored with pride and reverence.”
The Kurdistan Region marks this day not only as a day of mourning but also as a call to the world and to Iraq’s leadership: to remember, to recognize, and to ensure such atrocities are never repeated.