UK Congratulates Halabja on Becoming Iraq’s 19th Province, Honors Anfal Victims
The United Kingdom has extended its congratulations to the people of Halabja and the Kurdistan Region following the Iraqi Parliament’s historic decision to elevate Halabja to full provincial status. The British Consulate General in Erbil praised the move as “an important and positive step,” expressing hope for a future of peace, stability, and prosperity.
The statement, shared on social media platform X on Tuesday, came a day after the Iraqi Parliament approved the bill by a majority vote. The decision, made symbolically on the 37th anniversary of the Anfal genocide, formally designates Halabja as Iraq’s 19th province, fulfilling years of political and public demands.
The Iraqi Parliament's decision to recognise Halabja as a province marks an important and positive step. @ukinerbil warmly congratulates the people of Halabja and the Kurdistan Region. pic.twitter.com/HVeWxCuq62
— UK in Erbil (@ukinerbil) April 15, 2025
UK Honors Anfal Victims, Condemns Saddam’s Brutality
Hamish Falconer, the UK’s Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, paid tribute to the victims of the Anfal campaign, recalling the atrocities committed by Saddam Hussein’s regime.
“We gather to remember the victims of Saddam Hussein's brutal and inhumane Anfal campaign,” Falconer stated. “He and his thuggish Ba'athist killers systematically targeted Kurds and other minorities between 1986 and 1989.”
Falconer highlighted the campaign’s horrors, including forced displacement, the murder of 50,000 to 100,000 people, and the destruction of 4,000 Kurdish villages. “This was a calculated attempt to cause as much damage and hurt to Kurds as possible,” he said.
He reaffirmed Britain’s solidarity with survivors, stating, “Today we honor the memory of those killed in this horrid episode of history. My thoughts, along with the British government’s, are with their families and loved ones.”
Halabja’s Long-Awaited Recognition
The Iraqi Parliament’s decision on Monday marked a historic milestone for Halabja, which endured one of the worst atrocities of the Anfal campaign—the 1988 chemical attack that killed over 5,000 civilians. The attack, ordered by Saddam’s cousin Ali Hassan al-Majid (“Chemical Ali”), remains a painful chapter in Kurdish history.
The newly established Halabja Province includes the districts of Khurmal, Byara, Sirwan, and Bamo, with an 18-kilometer border with Iran. The province will now receive an independent budget and administrative autonomy.
Kurdish Leaders Hail the Decision
Kurdish leaders and Iraqi lawmakers celebrated the decision as a victory for justice and perseverance.
Masoud Barzani, former Kurdistan Region President and longtime advocate for Halabja’s status, called it a “long-overdue step toward healing.”
KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani described it as a “symbolic acknowledgment of Halabja’s suffering and resilience.”
Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, said the decision reflects “the collective happiness of Kurdistan’s people.”
A Step Toward Justice and Development
The recognition of Halabja as a province is seen as an act of restorative justice, granting the region greater political representation and resources. The UK’s message underscores international support for Halabja’s recovery and the Kurdistan Region’s stability.
As Halabja enters a new era, the memory of the Anfal genocide remains central to its identity—and the world’s commitment to ensuring such atrocities never happen again.
