Erbil, Kurdistan Region – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani marked the 37th anniversary of the Anfal genocide campaign in Badinan with a solemn message honoring the victims and urging the federal government in Baghdad to compensate their families.

Barzani described the Anfal as a “grave crime committed against the people of Kurdistan by the former Iraqi regime,” recalling the atrocities in which thousands of innocent civilians were displaced, tortured, and buried in mass graves.

“The Anfal genocide was a brutal campaign, and its consequences are still felt today,” Barzani said. “The federal government must acknowledge its responsibilities and fulfill its legal, constitutional, and moral obligations by compensating the families of the martyrs and victims of Anfal and all those who suffered under the Ba’ath regime.”

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) commitment to supporting the families of victims, pledging continued recognition and services. “We honor the memory of the martyrs of Anfal and all martyrs of Kurdistan,” he added.

The Anfal campaign, carried out in 1988 by Saddam Hussein’s regime, targeted Kurdish populations across the region, particularly in Badinan, Garmiyan, and other areas. Tens of thousands were killed, villages were destroyed, and survivors continue to struggle with the physical and psychological scars.

Despite Iraqi courts officially recognizing the campaign as genocide, many survivors and their families say they are still awaiting justice and adequate compensation from Baghdad. Kurdish leaders have repeatedly called on the federal government to address the long-standing grievances and provide restitution to victims.