In a statement commemorating the 37th anniversary of the Anfal genocide, the President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Bafel Jalal Talabani, called on both the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi Federal Government to take urgent action in supporting the families of those killed during one of the darkest chapters in Kurdish history.
“Today, with heavy hearts, we mark the 37th anniversary of the Anfal Massacre – one of the gravest and most appalling efforts by the former Iraqi regime to annihilate the Kurdish people,” Talabani said, as he honored the memory of the thousands who were systematically executed, displaced, and disappeared during the Ba’athist regime’s brutal campaign in the late 1980s.
In his message, Talabani emphasized the enduring responsibility of both regional and federal authorities to provide justice and reparations.
“We call upon both the KRG and the Federal Government to carry out their responsibilities towards the families of the noble Anfal victims and to compensate them in every respect,” he urged, highlighting the lack of meaningful action in the decades since the massacre.
Reaffirming the PUK’s ongoing support, the statement promised continued efforts to assist the families affected by Anfal. “As the PUK, we remain unwavering in our commitment to supporting the families of the Anfal martyrs and improving their lives. We vow to stand by them as devoted sons – for their suffering is our own,” Talabani said.
Search operations for the remains of victims are still ongoing, and the president expressed hope that bringing them home might offer some solace. “These wounds are carried in the hearts of all of us,” he added.
Talabani concluded with a call for unity, stressing that collaboration among all political factions is crucial for progress. “On this solemn day, we underscore the importance of unity and solidarity among all sides, so that together we may overcome challenges and achieve our shared goals – above all, to serve the people of Kurdistan with dedication and honour,” he stated.
The Anfal campaign, orchestrated under Saddam Hussein’s regime, claimed the lives of an estimated 180,000 Kurds through mass killings, forced displacement, and destruction of villages. Decades later, its legacy continues to shape Kurdish politics, identity, and the ongoing struggle for justice.
