Message of President Barzani on the 40th Anniversary of the Anfal of the Barzanis

In the name of God the gracious and the most Merciful,

Forty years ago, the Ba'ath regime perpetrated a heinous act by arresting 8,000 Barzani men, young and old, aged nine to ninety, and massacring them in the deserts of southern Iraq. This atrocity was part of a series of tragedies and sacrifices intended to destroy and dissolve the sons of the Kurdish people. We must not forget the disappearance of 12,000 Faily youth, the Anfal in Garmian, and the chemical attacks on Halabja and other parts of Kurdistan.

Sadly, four decades have passed since this heart-wrenching crime, but the remnants of chauvinism and intentions to oppress and torment the Kurdish people still linger in the thoughts and actions of some individuals and groups in the region.

On this solemn occasion, I express my gratitude to the brave sons and daughters of our people, especially those in the plains of Erbil, Harir, and Soran, who have shown unwavering Kurdish solidarity and courageously supported the Barzanis during challenging times. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the families of the Anfal victims, particularly the Barzani mothers and women who have endured the pain of losing their loved ones for many years and have become a shining example of resilience, morality, and the true essence of Kurdish identity.

Masoud Barzani

July 31, 2023