The Kurdistan Region solemnly commemorated the 37th anniversary of the Anfal genocide, a dark chapter in Kurdish history, with President Nechirvan Barzani issuing a powerful statement that both honored the victims and renewed demands for justice.

The Anfal campaign, carried out by the former Iraqi regime in 1988, led to the deaths of over 182,000 innocent Kurdish civilians. President Barzani described it as "one of the most heinous acts of genocide in history, leaving lasting scars on the collective memory and conscience of our people."

In his remarks, President Barzani extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, praising their resilience and underscoring the continuing responsibility of the Iraqi Federal Government. "We reaffirm that the Iraqi Federal Government bears both a legal and moral responsibility to provide compensation to the families of the victims of Anfal in all aspects," he stated, emphasizing the need to enforce the Iraqi Supreme Criminal Court’s ruling that officially recognized Anfal as genocide and a crime against humanity.

Barzani also highlighted the ongoing efforts within the Kurdistan Region to support affected communities. "We stress that all relevant entities within the Kurdistan Region are committed to supporting and caring for the families of the martyrs, restoring the areas affected by Anfal, recovering and returning the remains of the martyrs," he said. He further affirmed the region’s determination to seek international recognition of the genocide.

The president concluded by acknowledging the sacrifices that have shaped the Kurdistan Region’s progress. "The status and achievements of the Kurdistan Region are a direct result of the sacrifices made by the martyrs," Barzani noted. "We reaffirm our commitment to unity and solidarity in safeguarding our constitutional rights and striving for a future defined by justice and peace for the people of Kurdistan."

The annual commemoration serves not only as a day of remembrance but as a call for continued justice, healing, and recognition for a people who endured one of the most brutal campaigns of extermination in modern history.