Today marks 37 years since the Badinan phase of the Anfal campaign, during which 32,000 people were subjected to Anfal (killed or disappeared) and 450 villages in the Badinan region were destroyed.

In the eighth and final stage of Anfal, the Ba’ath regime launched the Badinan operation on 25 August 1988, targeting the districts of Zakho, Amedi, Shekhan, and Akre.

In this stage, on 24 August, the regime began chemical attacks on the Zereshkan (Zêreşkan) area along the Iraq–Turkey border.

On 28 August, the ground offensive began. As a result, tens of thousands of residents fled to Turkey and Iran, and a number of others were arrested. Some later, under duress, turned themselves in following the general amnesty of 6 September 1988.

On the evening of 29 August, thousands of residents of Zibar (Zêbar) and the slopes of Beri Gara were encircled, then transferred to two camps. A portion of them—the young men—were gathered at Nizarke Castle (Qelaya Nizarkê) in Duhok, while women and children were taken to Salamiyah Prison in Mosul.

The Ba’ath authorities also attacked the Christian villages of the region during the eighth stage. After looting, burning, and destroying these villages, the residents were taken to Salamiyah Prison in Mosul. 152 Christians were executed by firing squad, most of them from the villages of Mêzê (in Sarsing), Kosa/Kose (in Doski), Kani Belav (in Barwarî Bala), Bash and Qarwla/Qarola (in Nerwa), and Derkesh (in Amedi/Amadiya).

The eighth stage of Anfal continued until 6 September 1988. In total, during the Badinan Anfal, nearly 32,000 people were executed or disappeared, 450 villages were destroyed, more than 100,000 people became refugees in Turkey and Iran, and others were forcibly relocated to communities near Erbil.