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Calls to transform Halabja into an Iraqi governorate are increasing, coinciding with the 37th anniversary of the chemical bombing of the city. The President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, the Prime Minister of the regional government, Masrour Barzani, and Iraqi political figures called on Sunday for the Iraqi government to complete all necessary procedures for this purpose.

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Transforming Halabja into a governorate represents an important step in recognizing the suffering of its people and enhancing stability and development in the region. However, the success of this move is dependent on the ability of the local and federal governments to overcome challenges and ensure sustainable development for the new governorate.

Nechirvan Barzani emphasized in a statement the “need to compensate the people of Halabja and all the victims of genocide and Anfal, and to provide the best services to them in all areas,” noting that “it is the duty of the Iraqi government to assume its legal and moral responsibility towards the victims, fulfill all its obligations to Halabja and its people, and deliver justice to them.”

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He also called on the international community to continue its efforts to prevent the repetition of such crimes anywhere in the world, adding, “Honoring the victims of Halabja and all the martyrs of Kurdistan is about strengthening solidarity, understanding, and cooperation to protect the rights of the Kurdish people.”

The Halabja massacre occurred on March 16, 1988, when former president Saddam Hussein bombed the city with chemical weapons, killing over five thousand civilians, most of them women and children, and injuring thousands more, many of whom still suffer from its health consequences to this day.

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Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of the regional government, Masrour Barzani, issued a statement on Sunday, calling for the federal government to fulfill its constitutional and legal obligations towards the victims and compensate the families of the victims of the genocide, while urging the Parliament to expedite the process of transforming Halabja into a governorate.

Barzani said, “Although some of the main perpetrators of this crime have been punished, this great tragedy remains a deep wound and a painful scar that has not healed despite the 37 years that have passed. It is our duty to continue to make the world aware of the scale and brutality of the genocide committed against Halabja, Anfal, and other massacres targeting the Kurdish people, and to support the families and relatives of the martyrs and victims of these crimes, while intensifying efforts to meet their needs and provide them with necessary support.”

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He added, “What is regrettable on this painful occasion is the federal government’s failure to fulfill its constitutional and legal responsibilities towards the victims and martyrs of Halabja and the Anfal, and the fact that Parliament has still not made a decision regarding the transformation of Halabja into a governorate.”

After years of continuous demands from the people and the government of Kurdistan, the Iraqi Cabinet approved in March 2024 the transformation of the Halabja district into a governorate, after meeting the necessary administrative and constitutional criteria, and submitted the decision to Parliament for a vote. However, Parliament failed to organize a session to vote on the law.

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When announced as a governorate, it will require the creation of independent administrative institutions, such as a governorate council, government offices, and security forces. Halabja will also need developmental plans to improve its infrastructure, including roads, health, and educational services.

The success of its transformation into a governorate will depend on the financial support it receives from Baghdad, as well as the opportunities for local and international investment. It will be essential to ensure successful management of the governorate and effective coordination between the federal government and the Kurdistan region. It will need a fair share of the national budget to guarantee essential services for the population.

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For his part, Ammar al-Hakim, the head of the National State Forces Alliance, said on Sunday that the tragedy of Halabja will remain a deep wound bleeding in the hearts of all living consciences, and called for it to be honored and recognized as a new Iraqi governorate.

Hakim emphasized in a statement that Halabja holds significant symbolism for Iraqis, due to the heinous crime suffered by its people. He added, “The best tribute to Halabja is to consider it a new Iraqi governorate, which would provide job opportunities, economic potential, and broader political representation in Iraqi decision-making.”

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The Kurdistan Regional Government had decided in June 2013 to create the Halabja governorate, with its seat in the city of Halabja, including the districts of Halabja, Shahrizor, Benjwen, and Said Sadiq, which had previously been administered by the Sulaymaniyah governorate. However, the federal government has not yet recognized it as a governorate.

The former prime minister of the regional government had signed the decision to create the new governorate on March 13, 2014, and Halabja had been declared the fourth province of Kurdistan, a decision taken three days before the anniversary of the chemical attack on Halabja.

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Iraq is divided into 18 governorates, and if Halabja becomes a governorate, it will increase the number of governorates to 19. These governorates are divided into districts and smaller subdivisions called “naouays.”

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi had promised to facilitate the announcement of Halabja as the 19th Iraqi governorate during a visit to the province in September 2020.

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