President Jalal Talabani Foundation’s Statement on the 37th Commemoration of the Halabja Chemical Bombardment

On March 16, 1988, the city of Halabja was brutally subjected to a chemical bombardment by the Iraqi dictatorial regime at that time, killing 5,000 innocent civilians and injuring thousands of others—many of whom continue to suffer from the long-term effects of these attacks without adequate medical care.

Today as we commemorate this tragedy with seriousness, we do so with deep sadness and concern, remembering the immense suffering inflicted upon our people. Halabja's shelling remains an open wound in the heart of every Kurd—a wound that cannot be erased. Instead of relying on symbolic rhetoric, we must take concrete steps to serve the city and honor its victims in meaningful ways.
We urge the Iraqi Council of Representatives to refrain from delaying justice and to officially recognize Halabja’s status as a province—one of its most fundamental rights. Halabja stands as a symbol of resistance against the Baathist regime, and the Iraqi government must take responsibility by compensating the families of the martyrs and providing proper care for the survivors. Furthermore, we call on the Iraqi government to take concrete steps toward securing international recognition of the Halabja massacre.

May peace be upon the souls of the 5,000 martyrs of Halabja and all those who have sacrificed their lives on the path to Kurdistan’s liberation.

Ambassador Dr. Muhamad Sabir
President of the President Jalal Talabani Foundation