Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani has marked the 38th anniversary of the Badinan Anfal campaign, honoring the victims of one of the final phases of the former Iraqi regime’s Anfal operations against the Kurdish people.

The Badinan Anfal took place between August 25 and September 6, 1988, when the former Iraqi regime launched attacks against civilians in Badinan, using banned weapons and causing widespread destruction to the region’s people, land, water, air and environment.

In a statement marking the anniversary, Barzani honored the martyrs and victims of the Badinan Anfal and all victims of the Anfal campaign across Kurdistan.

He described the Anfal as a grave crime that was recognized by the Supreme Iraqi Criminal Tribunal as genocide, a war crime and a crime against humanity.

Barzani called on the Federal Government of Iraq to provide material and moral compensation to the families of Anfal victims and others who suffered under the former regime. He also stressed the need to continue efforts to secure international recognition of the Anfal as genocide.

The Kurdistan Region President said the crimes of the past must serve as a lasting lesson for Iraq, warning against the return of oppression and violations. He also emphasized protecting the constitutional rights of the people of Kurdistan and all communities in the region.

Barzani further called for unity, peaceful coexistence and cooperation among political parties to help build a peaceful and stable future for the people of Kurdistan.

Concluding his statement, he paid tribute to the martyrs of the Badinan Anfal and all the martyrs of Kurdistan. He also expressed gratitude to the people of Erbil and surrounding areas for welcoming and supporting those displaced from Badinan during the difficult days of the Jazhnikan camp.