The Halabja massacre occurred 35 years ago today. Using chemical weapons, Iraqi soldiers killed thousands of civilians in the Kurdish-inhabited city of Halabja in the north. Who carried out the Halabja Massacre? What is the Halabja Massacre? The history of the Halabja Massacre? When did the Halabja Massacre take place? 16 March Halabja Massacre…
What is Halabja Massacre? When Did the Halabja Massacre Occur?
The Halabja Massacre or the poison gas attack on Halabja is part of Saddam Hussein's operation to suppress the rebellion, called Operation Al-Anfal, against the Kurds in northern Iraq in 1986-1988, during the Iran-Iraq War. Also known as Bloody Friday, this poison gas attack is considered a massacre against the Kurdish people. As a result of the medical examinations carried out by the United Nations, it was determined that mustard gas and a type of nerve gas whose type could not be determined were used in the attack.
Between 3.200 and 5.000 people were killed and between 10.000 and 7.000 civilians were injured in the attack. Complications and various diseases occurred after the attack, and the deliveries could not result in a healthy outcome. This attack is known as the biggest chemical attack against the Kurdish people and civilian population in those regions. The Iraqi Supreme Criminal Court recognized the Halabja Massacre on 1 March 2010 as an act of genocide. The attack was condemned by the parliaments of some countries as a crime against humanity. In addition, a bill was submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly to recognize this massacre.
Developments Before the Halabja Massacre
During the period when Saddam Hussein intensified Operation Al-Anfal between February 23 and September 16, 1988, the Iranian army launched the general offensive called Operation Victory-7 in mid-March. The Peshmerga affiliated to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, led by Celal Talabani, cooperated with the Iranian army and entered the town of Halabja and started a rebellion.
Saddam Hussein ordered the Northern Front Commander of the Iraqi Army, Lieutenant General Ali Hasan al-Majid al-Tikriti (known as 'Chemical Ali' by the western media) to use poison gas bombs to stop the Iranian army's advance.
On March 16, 1988, the town of Halabja was bombarded by eight MiG-23 aircraft carrying poison gas bombs. It was estimated that more than 5.000 people were killed and more than 7.000 injured, including the inhabitants of Halabja, Iranian soldiers and the Peshmerga. However, it was determined that this number was even higher by foreigners who entered the region after the Iraq War.
On August 19, 1988, Iraq and Iran signed the ceasefire agreement. The Iraqi army recaptured Halabja 5 days after the ceasefire and it is said that 200 inhabitants were killed during this occupation.
Süleymaniye University Faculty of Medicine faculty member Prof. In his article titled 'Experiment in Evil' published in 'The Sydney Morning Herald' on 7 December 2002, Fuat Baban claimed that the birth rate with disabilities in Halabja is 4-5 times that of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The United States, on the other hand, abused this claim and tried to justify its use of Depleted Uranium bullets.
While Saddam Hussein was tried for genocide against the Kurds in the Halabja Massacre, he was convicted of crimes against humanity in the Duceyil Massacre for another massacre, and his execution by hanging was ordered. (November 5, 2006)
Decision of the Iraqi Supreme Criminal Court
On March 1, 2010, the Iraqi High Criminal Court recognized the Halabja Massacre as genocide. It was welcomed by the Kurdistan Regional Government.