On the 39th anniversary of the chemical attacks on the Kurdistan Region’s Balisan, Sheikh Wasanan, and Khoshnawati Valley, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani paid tribute to the victims and called for justice and compensation for their families.

In a message posted on the social media platform X, Barzani honored the martyrs of the massacre and praised the resilience of the people who endured the tragedy.

“On the 39th anniversary of the chemical attacks on Balisan, Sheikh Wasanan, and Khoshnawati Valley, we honor the martyrs of this massacre with pride and reverence, and express deep appreciation for the struggle and sacrifice of the resilient people of these areas,” the prime minister wrote.

Barzani also stressed the responsibility of the federal authorities in Iraq to provide reparations to the families affected by the atrocities. He emphasized that the federal government must deliver proper compensation to the families of the martyrs and to the victims of the Anfal Campaign.

The chemical attack on Balisan, Sheikh Wasanan, and Khoshnawati Valley occurred on April 16, 1987, when the former Iraqi regime used chemical weapons against Kurdish civilians, marking the beginning of a series of brutal assaults that later became part of the wider Anfal campaign.

The attacks resulted in numerous civilian casualties and long-lasting health and environmental consequences across the region. Each year, officials and residents in the Kurdistan Region commemorate the victims and renew calls for justice, recognition, and compensation for those affected.