The President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, issued a statement on Sunday on the anniversary of the Anfal genocide of 1988, saying the Region commemorates the deaths of more than 182,000 people killed during the genocidal campaign.

“On this occasion, we remember them with respect and glory and pay tribute to their souls,” Barzani said, speaking on the victims of the Baathist regime’s campaign.

Barzani said that while the Iraqi High Criminal Court recognized Anfal as a genocide, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) reiterates its request to the Iraqi federal government to compensate victims of the campaign.

He also emphasized the need to provide better services to the families of the victims.

“We assure the families of the Anfal victims that we will continue the search for the bodies of the martyrs and return them to the embrace of the country until the end,” Barzani said.

He also stated the KRG emphasized its efforts for international recognition of the Anfal campaign as a genocide “and never to repeat such a crime anywhere in the world.”

“On this occasion, we emphasize the solidarity of all parties and communities in Kurdistan, which is the condition for the protection and survival of rights and achievements, federalism, and the constitutional status of the Kurdistan Region,” Barzani said. “May the memory of the martyrs always be blessed and peace on their souls.”