Iraq – Kurdistan Marks 31st Anniversary of Halabja Massacre
Halabja- Southeastern Sulaymaniyah – Kurdistan – Iraq 17/03/2019
The Iraqi town of Halabja marks the 31st anniversary for the chemical attack that took place on March 16, 1988. In cooperation with the Ministry of Martyrs and Anfal Affairs in the Kurdistan region, solemn ceremony of remembrance was set up at the hall of the Sports College in Halabja town, southeast of Sulaymaniyah, and it was attended by officials from the federal government and the KRG, as well as members of the Kurdish Parliament, party officials, and families and relatives of the victims of the deadly attack.It is noteworthy that Halabja is a city in Iraqi Kurdistan located about 240 km northeast of Baghdad. During the Iran–Iraq War, the city was attacked by gas canisters and 5,000 people died as an immediate result of the chemical attack, mostly women and children, and it is estimated that a further 10,000 people were injured or suffered long term illness, and many others died from complications caused by chemical weapons.