Halabja: President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid affirmed that the city of Halabja was the victim of one of the most horrific crimes committed by the former dictatorial regime, which bombed the city with chemical weapons, resulting in the martyrdom of more than 5,000 innocent civilians, most of whom were women, children, and the elderly.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, during his visit to Halabja on Wednesday, accompanied by First Lady Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed, President Rashid stated that “the massacre that took place in this city shook the conscience of humanity and remains a testimony to the brutality of the former regime.”

The President laid a wreath at the Halabja Martyrs Memorial and toured its sections, viewing exhibits and models that document the tragedy of the chemical attack.

President Rashid emphasized that Halabja has historically been a cultural and intellectual center, having produced numerous poets, writers, politicians, and national movement figures. He also highlighted the significant roles played by many pioneering women from the city.

The President called on both the Kurdistan Regional Government and the federal government to intensify efforts to rebuild the province, implement vital service projects, and improve living conditions for its residents, stressing the need to recognize and address the long-standing suffering of the city and its people.